>ock: 

OF BIRDS 



\V^\VVVAY(WN*-W.\KAS^\\\V 



.USTIN C, APGAR, 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

©fyap. : dapijrigfyt Ifo* 

Shelf^Aibi 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



NATURE STUDIES BY THE AUTHOR. 



Trees of the Northern United States : Their Study, 
Description and Determination, for the Use of Schools 
and Private Students. 16mo, 1892, 224 pp. Over 400 
Illustrations. Cloth, 11.00. 

Birds of the Northern United States : Their Study, 
Description and Determination, for the Use of Schools 
and Private Students. Fully Illustrated. In Prepara- 
tion. 

MOLLUSKS * OF THE ATLANTIC COAST OF THE UNITED 

States, South to Cape Hatteras. 16mo, 1891, 100 pp. 
Ill Plates of over 60 Figures. Cloth, 81.00. 

Pocket Key of Trees, Both Wild and Cultivated, 
of the Northern United States, East of the 
Rocky Mountains. With a Fully Illustrated Glossary 
of Terms. 1891, 40 pp. Cloth, 40 cents. 

Pocket Key of the Birds of the Northern United 
States, East of the Rocky Mountains. With a 
Glossary of Terms. 1893. Cloth, 50 cents. 

Copies of the above can be obtained, postpaid, for the 
prices given, by addressing 

AUSTIN C. APGAR, 

Trenton, N. J. 



POCKET KEY 



BIEDS 



Northern United States, 



EAST OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 



AUSTIN C. APGAR, 

Author of " Trees of the Northern United States/' " Mollusks of the 
Atlantic Coast," &c. ^^ 

( '0G T -- V) 



TRENTON, 






The John L. Murphy Pub. Co., Printers. U f% 
1893. 






Copyright, 1893, 
By Austin C. Apgar. 



... 



O^Vfc* 






INTRODUCTION. 



The object of this pocket volume is to enable any one to deter- 
mine the names of the birds by the plainest external parts. If 
birds are ever known they must be recognized by these features. 

I have attempted to construct a Key that would contain a mini- 
mum of technical terms, and those used are defined in the short 
glossary at the end of the book. 

After the supposed name is determined, it would be well to 
read a full description in such works as those of Dr. Jordan, Dr. 
Coues or Mr. Eidgway to verify the determination. 

Method of using the Key. The most important caution in the 
use of a Key is never to read any statements but those to which 
you are directed by the letters in parenthesis. Kule. First read 
all the statements following the stars (*) at the beginning of the 
Key ; decide which one of these best suits the specimen you have. 
At the end of the chosen one there is a letter in parenthesis ( ). 
Somewhere below, this letter is used two or more times. Read 
carefully all the statements following this letter ; at the end of 
the one which most nearly states the facts about your specimen, 
you will again be directed by a letter to another part of the Key. 
Continue this process till, instead of a letter, there is a number 
and name. The name is that of the family to which your bird 
belongs. Turn to the latter part of the book where this number, 
in regular order, is found. Here, if there be more than one genus, 
nother Key will lead to the genus, and, under it, still another 
~ey, if necessary, will enable you to decide the species. The 
imensions given are always in inches. For the wing the length 
s from the bend to the tip of the longest quill ; for the bill the 
ength is that of the top ; the length of bird is from the tip of 
•ill to end of longest tail feather, allowance being made for the 
ength of neck. 

( The scientific names are according to the list of the American 
Ornithological Union. The vowel of the accented syllable is 
marked with the grave accent ( v ) if long and the acute one (') if 
short. 

The size, form and binding of the book is intended to render 
it very useful to collectors, hunters and all who take an interest 
in God's most brilliant, most sprightly, and most musical of 
creatures. 



KEY TO THE FAMILIES OF BIRDS. 



* Swimming birds : legs rather short ; at least 3 toes either with 

full webbing or such membranes along the sides as to take 
the place of webbing. (Some long-legged birds with 3 full- 
webbed toes belong to the next group.) (g.) page 11. 

* Wading birds : legs in most cases quite elongated ; tibia always 

exserted and in most cases more or less naked below ; toes 
frequently with more or less webbing at base, sometimes 
narrowly lobed along the sides. (Z.) 

* Birds fitted neither for swimming nor wading. (A.) 

A. With 2 toes in front and 2 behind (one species is 3-toed 

and has only 1 behind). (Y.) 
A. With 2 toes permanently in front and 1 toe permanently 
behind ; the outer toe is versatile and can be used either in 
front or behind ; eyes directed forward instead of sidewise 
as in most birds ; bill much hooked ; owls. (X.) 
A. With 3 toes permanently in front, and 1 toe (rarely absent) 
behind (one species of Falconidse with hooked and cered 
bill has the outer toe versatile). (B.) 
B« Bill hooked and with a distinct membrane (cere) at the base, 

extending past the nostrils. (W.) 

B. Bill without a cere and in most cases not strongly hooked. (O.) 

C. Hind toe short, small, inserted above the level of the others ; 

front toes with a plain webbing at base ; no soft membrane 

over the nostrils as in the doves and pigeons. (V.) 

O. Hind toe inserted about on a level with the others and 

usually long. (D.) 

D. Bill straight, the horny tip separated by a narrow portion 

from the base; nostrils opening beneath a soft swollen 

membrane (hard and somewhat wrinkled in mounted 

birds); doves and pigeons.. ...XXIX. Columbidce. 



KEY OF BIRDS. 7 

D. Nostril not covered by a swollen membrane. (B.) 
B. Bill stout, straight, longer than the head ; feet with the outer 
and middle toes grown together for J their length ; 

tarsus very short , XXIII. Alcedinidce. 

B. Bill very slender and long ; the smallest of birds, less than 

4 in. long; humming-birds XX. Trochilidce. 

B. Bill with the top ridge very short, but the gape wide and 

deep, reaching about to the eyes. (T.) 
B. Bill not as above. (P.) 

P. Hind claw much elongated, twice as long as that of the 
middle claw and straight or but little curved; inner 
secondaries lengthened, nearly as long as the primaries in 
the closed wing. (M.) 
P. Not as above. (Gr.) 

Q-. First primary short, never more than f as long as the long- 
est, usually less than J as long ; sometimes so short as to 
be barely noticeable on the under side of the edge of the 
wing. (N.) 
G. First primary lengthened, always more than § as long as 
the longest quill. (H.) 
H. Bill broad, depressed, wider than high at base, tapering to a 

point, which is abruptly hooked. (K.) 
H. Bill higher than broad at base. (I.) 
I. Bill stout at base and with the gape so angulated as to bring 
the corners of the mouth downward; no lobes or nicks 
along the cutting-edge of the bill. (J.) 
I. Bill stout, with convex outline and with lobes or nicks near 

the center XII. Tanagridce. 

I. Bill stout, compressed, notched and abruptly hooked near the 
tip ; plumage olivaceous ; tail without either white or 

yellow blotches VIII. Vireonidce. 

I. Bill not as above, little if at all hooked; colors in most 
species bright and distinctly marked VII. Mniotiltidce. 



8 KEY OF BIKDS. 






J. Bill usually as long, or longer, than the head ; ridge of bill so 
extended upward as to divide the frontal feathers ; no notch 

at tip of bill or bristles at the rictus XIV. Icteridce. 

J. Bill shorter than the head ; ridge of bill not especially extend- 
ing upward on the forehead... XIII. Fringillidoe. 

K. Kictal bristles absent ; nostrils overhung with bristles ; tail 
short, truncate and tipped with yellow or red; head 

crested X. Ampelidoe. 

K. Eictal bristles numerous and long. (L.) 
L. Tail rounded; bird less than 6 in. long, with creamy or 

orange-yellow Setophaga in VII. 3fniotiltidce, 

Li. Birds, if under 6 in. long, then not with rounded tails 

XVII. Tyrannidce. 

M. Nostrils overhung with bristly feathers; tarsus scutellate 

behind ; bill not very slender XVI. A laudida. 

M. Nostrils exposed; bill very slender; tarsus not scutellate 

behind VI. Motacillidce. 

"N. Tarsus (booted) covered with a continuous plate along the 

front ; no distinct scales except near the toes. (S.) 
N. Tarsus (scutellate) covered with distinct rectangular scales 
along the front. (O.) 
O. Bill stout, compressed, distinctly notched and hooked at tip ; 

nostrils and rictus with bristles. (R.) 
O. Bill not evidently hooked at tip. (P.) 
P. Tail feathers acute pointed and somewhat stiff; bill decurved ; 

bird under 6 in. long IV. Certhiidce. 

P. Tail feathers rounded at tip and soft. (Q.) 
Q. Bill long and stout ; nostrils covered with bristly^ feathers ; 

large birds, 10-25 in. long XV. Cowidas. 

Q. Bill slender, somewhat notched near the tip ; nasal feathers 
directed forward and extending somewhat over the nostrils; 

small birds, not over 4J in. long II. Sylviidce. 

Q. Bill rather slender ; nasal feathers not directed forward over 
the nostrils ; either small birds (4-6 in. long) with barred 



KEY OF BIRDS. 9 

quills, or large birds (8-12 in. long) with quills not 

barred V. Troglodytidce. 

Q. Bill neither notched at tip nor decurved ; nostrils concealed 

by dense tufts of bristly feathers; birds 4-7 in. long 

III. Paridce. 

R. Large birds, 8 in. or more long ; tail longer than the wings .. 

IX. Laniidce. 

R. Small birds, less than 7 in. long ; tail shorter than the wings.. 

, VIII. Vireonidct. 

S. Small birds, less than 5 in. long; a bright yellow or red 

crown patch II. Sylviidce 

S. Birds over 5 in. long I. Turdidce. 

T. Middle toe much longer than the side ones ; its claw (pectin- 
ated) with minute saw-like teeth on its inner edge ; plumage 

soft XVIII. Caprimulgidce. 

T. Claw of middle toe not pectinated. (U.) 
U. Tail rounded, of stiff feathers with spinous shafts extending 

beyond the webs XIX. Micropodidce. 

U. Tail never rounded, often much forked and without spinous 

tips XL Hirundinidce. 

V. Tarsus never provided with spines in the male ; head usually 
fully feathered, never entirely naked ; game birds, ours all 

under 20 in. long XXX. Tetraonidce. 

V. Tarsus in the adult male armed with a spur ; domestic fowl 
and pheasants ; our only wild species, the turkey, over 30 

in. long XXXI. Phasianidce. 

W. Head entirely naked or covered with down instead of 

feathers; hind toe short, elevated ; claws small 

XXVIII. Cathartidce. 

W. Head nearly or quite fully feathered ; hind toe not elevated 

and with a large and strong claw XXVII. Falconidce. 

X. Middle claw (pectinated) with a saw-like ridge on the inner 
edge ; inner toe as long as the middle toe. . .XXVI. Strigidce. 



10 KEY OF BIRDS. 

X. Middle claw not pectinated; inner toe not as long as the 

middle toe XXV. Bubonidce. 

Y. Bill stout and decidedly hooked; parrots 

.XXIV. Psittacidw. 

Y. Bill stout and straight; tail feathers stiff and acute pointed.. 

XXI. Picidce. 

Y. Bill slender and curved downward ; tail long, of round- 
tipped, soft feathers XXII. Ouculidce. 

Z Head with a horny shield on the forehead, in other respects 

fully feathered XXXIX. Pallidas. 

Z. Head with more or less naked tracts, either at the lores or 
around the eyes, in some the head is nearly all naked, (e.) 
Z. Head fully feathered, (a.) 
a. Bill hard, not sensitive, usually little longer than the head, 
sometimes shorter ; if much longer, then compressed and 
very blunt at tip. (cl ) 
a. Bill weak, flexible, often long and slender, if short usually 
pigeon-like ; gape extending about to the base of culmen ; 
nostrils slit-like, surrounded by soft skin, (b.) 
b. Toes with lobed membranes along their edges ; tarsus much 

compressed; body depressed; small birds, 6-10 in. long 

XXXVH. Phalaropodidce. 

b. Toes without lobes, sometimes more or less webbed, (o.) 
C. Bill usually shorter than the head, pigeon-like, the soft base 
separated by a narrowed portion from the hard tip ; toes 
only 3, all in front, except one species has a minute hind 

toe; tarsus reticulate ; birds, 6-12 in. long 

XXXIV. Charadriida. 

C. Legs exceedingly long ; tarsus more than twice the length of 
the middle toe and claw ; bill much longer than the head 
and more or less curved upward; birds over 12 in. long.... 

XXXVI. Recurvirostridce. 

C. Not as above ; tarsus scutellate in front ; bill slender, with a 
blunt tip ; nostrils narrow, exposed slits in deep grooves 



KEY OF BIKDS. 11 

extending from J to nearly the full length of the bill 

XXXV. Scolopacidce. 

d. Bill much longer than the head, nearly straight, much com- 
pressed and truncate at tip ; toes 3, webbed at base ; tarsus 

reticulate XXXII. Hcematopodidce. 

d. Bill either distinctly decurved or else shorter than the head ; 
middle front toe and claw longer than the tarsus; wings 

short and rounded XXXIX. Eallidce. 

d. Middle front toe and claw not longer than the tarsus ; wings 

long and pointed XXXIII. Aphrizidce. 

e Middle claw (pectinated) Yfith a saw-like ridge on the inner 

side; bill straight, acute and with sharp cutting-edges 

, , XL. Ardeidce. 

e. Middle claw not pectinated, (f.) 

f. Bill very broad and flattened, widening towards the tip...- 

XLIII. Plataleidce. 

f. Bill narrow, about as wide as high, gradually and decidedly 

curved downward for its whole length XLII. Ibididce. 

f. Bill narrow, straight for J its length and then decurved 

XLI. Ciconiidce. 

f . Bill not as broad as high, about straight, not very acute ; very 
large birds, over 40 in. long, with very long necks and legs . 

XXXVIII. Qruidce. 

f. Bill about straight, soft, much grooved, as long as the head ; 

bird 10-12 in. long Calidris in XXXV. Scolopacidce. 

g. With 4 toes all connected together with full webbing, (m.) 

g. With only 3 front toes connected together with full webbing, 

or else bordered by membranes from the webbed base to 

the claws ; hind toe rather short, sometimes wanting, (h. ) 

h. Bill with teeth or fringe-like lamellae along the edges.... 

XLIV. Anatidce. 

h. Bill with cutting-edges even, (i.) 

i. Legs inserted so far back along the body that the bird, in 
standing, has to take a vertical position ; diving birds. (1.) 



12 KEY OF BIRDS. 

i. Legs so inserted that the body, in standing, takes nearly a 
horizontal position, (j.) 
j. Nostrils tubular ; bill made up of several pieces separated by 

deep grooves L. Procellariidce. 

j. Nostrils not tubular, (k.) 
k. Upper mandible decidedly hooked at tip and plainly made 
up of separate pieces, one forming a kind of roof to the 

nostrils LI. Stercorariidce. 

k. Upper mandible plainly covered with one piece, and at least 
as long as the lower mandible; no horny shield on the 

forehead LII. Laridce. 

k. Lower mandible longer than the upper one, and both deci- 
dedly compressed and knife-like LIII. Rynchopidce. 

k. Upper mandible with a horny shield on the forehead ; toes 

with lobes along the sides instead of webbing 

XXXIX. Ballidce. 

1. Front toes with broad membranes along the sides, more or less 
webbed at base; claws broad and flat, resembling human 

nails; no tail feathers LVI. Podiripidce. 

1. Three front toes full- webbed; hind toe present, short; bill 2 
in. or more long; large birds, 20 in. or more long; tail 

short LIY. Urinatoridce. 

1. Three front toes full-webbed ; no hind toe ; our species are 
birds less that 20 in. long and have bills less than 2 in. long ; 

tail short LV. Alcidce. 

m Bill straight or slightly curved, (o.) 

m. Upper mandible decidedly hooked at tip. (n.) 

n. Tail long (14-20 in.) and forked for £ its length 

XLIX, Fregatidce. 

n. Tail moderate in length (5-10 in.), rounded, much longer than 

the short (3 in. or less) bill; plumage dark 

XL VII. Phalacrocoracidce. 

n. Tail much shorter than the long (over 9 in.) and large-pouched 
bill XLVIII. Pelecanidce. 



Family I. TURDID^. 13 

O. Bill stout at base, long (over 5 in.) and slightly curved near 
tip XLV. Sulidce. 

O. Bill slender, nearly straight, under 4 in. long ; neck very 
long XLVI. Anhingidoe. 

Family I. TURDID-E2. (Thrushes.) 

* Bill rather short, decidedly wider than high at base and con- 

spicuously hooked at tip ; tail about as long as the wings 

5. Myadestes. 

* Bill longer, not depressed ; tail shorter than the wings. (A.) 

A. Plumage more or less blue 1. Sialia. 

A. Plumage not at all blue. (B.) 

B. Bill not notched at tip ; feathers in the nasal groove partly 

concealing the nostrils 2. Hesperocichla. 

B. Bill notched at tip ; nostrils exposed. (O.) 

C. Breast with spots 4. Turdus. 

C. Breast without spots, except in quite young birds 

3. Merula. 

1. Sialia. 

* No chestnut or cinnamon on breast 

S. drtica. (Rocky Mountain Bluebird.) 

* Some chestnut on breast. (A.) 

A. Male with no chestnut on back 

* S. sidlis. (Common Bluebird.) 

A. Male with some chestnut on back 

S. mexicana. (Western Bluebird.) 

2. Hesperocichla naivia. (Varied Thrush.) 

3. Merula migratdria. (American Robin.) 

4. Turdus. 

* Back, from forehead to tail, about uniform in color. (B.) 

* Back not uniform in color. (A.) 

A. Reddish on head, shading to olive on rump and tail 

T. mustefanus. (Wood Thrush.) 



14 KEY OF BIKDS. 

A. Olive on head, shading to reddish on rump and tail 

, T. aorialdschkce. (Hermit Thrush.) 

B. Back reddish from head to tail — 

T. fuscescens. (Wilson's Thrush.) 

B. Back olive throughout. (C.) 

O. No whitish ring around the eye 

T. alicice. (Gray-checked Thrush.) 

O. A whitish ring around the eye » 

, T. ustulatus. (Olive-backed Thrush.) 

5. Myadestes townsendii. (Townsend's Solitaire.) 



Family II. SYLVIIDiE. (Old- World Warblers.) 

* Tarsus booted ; tail feathers of nearly equal length and with no 

white markings ; nostrils concealed by one or more small 
feathers < 1. Begulus. 

* Tarsus scutellate ; tail feathers with white 2. Polioptila. 

1. Hegulus. 

* Some black on the head; a single minute feather over the 

nostril B. satrapa. (Golden-crowned Kinglet.) 

* No black on the head; a tuft of small bristle-like feathers 

over the nostril.. ...B. calendula. (Kuby-crowned Kinglet.) 

2. Polioptila ccerulea. (Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.) 



Family III. PARID-2E3. (Chickadees, Etc.) 

* Tail about as long as the wing ; bill shorter than the head and 

rather stout 1. Parus. 

* Tail much shorter than the wing ; bill as long as the head and 

slender , 2. Sitta. 

1. Pdru8. 

* Head conspicuously crested.... P. bicolor. (Tufted Titmouse.) 

* Head without crest. (A) 



Family V. TROGLODYTID^. 15 

A. Top of head brown; throat dusky 

P. hudsonicus. (Hudsonian Chickadee.) 

A. Top of head and throat black. (B.) 

B. Tail and wing feathers whitish edged 

P. atricapillus. (Black-capped Chickadee.) 

B Tail and wing feathers not whitish edged 

P. carolinensis. (Carolina Chickadee.) 

2. Sitta. 

* White below, with some rusty brown on the crissum; cap 

glossy black, without stripes 

.S. carolinensis. (White-breasted Nuthatch. ) 

* Rusty brown below ; crown black, with white stripes or leaden 

blue . . , . S. canadensis. (Red-breasted Nuthatch. ) 

* Rusty brown or brownish white below ; crown brown, without 

stripes , , , ..S. pusilla. (Brown-headed Nuthatch.) 

Family IV. OBRTHIIDJB. (Creepers.) 
Cerlhia familiaris. (Brown Creeper.) 

Family V. TROGLODYTID-S3. (Wrens and Mock- 

ING-BlRDS.) 

* Birds over 8 in. long and with wings over 3 in. long ; bill with 

bristles at the rictus. (Mocking-birds.) (C.) 

* Wings under 2J in. long. (Wrens.) (A.) 

A. Back with black and white streaks extending lengthwise... 

3. Cistothorus. 

A. Back without streaks extending lengthwise. (B.) 
B. Back with some cross bars ; no distinct whitish line over the 

eye ,..., 2. Troglodytes. 

B. Back without cross bars; a distinct whitish line over eye 

1. Thryothorus. 

C. Tail an inch longer than wings ; outer tail feathers without 
distinct white blotches 6. Harporhynchus. 



16 KEY OF BIKDS. 

O. Tail but little longer than the wings. (D.) 

D. Color brownish ; outer tail with white 4. Mimus. 

D. Color slate gray ; lower tail coverts chestnut 

5. Galeoscoptes. 

1. Thryothorus. 

* Tail like the back in color, reddish brown 

T. ludovidanus. (Carolina Wren.) 

* Tail feathers, except the middle pair, blackish.... 

T. bewickii. (Bewick's Wren.) 

2. Troglodytes. 

* Tail and wings of about equal length 

T. a'edon. (House Wren.) 

* Tail decidedly shorter than the wings...., 

T. hiem&lis. (Winter Wren.) 

3. Cistothdru8. 

* Bill about J in. long; crown streaked 

(7. stell&ris. (Short-billed Marsh Wren.) 

* Bill £ in. long; crown unstreaked 

C. palustris. (Long-billed Marsh Wren.) 

4. Mlmus polyglottos. Mocking-bird.) 
5 Gcileoscoptes carolinensis. (Catbird.) 

6. Harporhynchus ritfus. (Brown Thrush.) 

Family VI. MOTAOILLIDiE. (Pipits.) 
Anthus. 

* Common A . pensilvdnicus. (American Pipit. ) 

* Western U. S., rarely east to Minnesota 

A. 8pragueii. (Missouri Skylark.) 

Family VII. MNIOTILTID-ffi. (American Warblers.) 

* Birds over 7 in. long ; bill rather stout and compressed ; wings 

shorter than the tail , 10. Icteria. 

* Birds under 6 J in. long ; bill not stout. (A.) 









Family VII. MNIOTILTID.E. 17 

A. Bill depressed, broader than high at base, notched and 
slightly hooked ; rictal bristles J the length of bill ; 
length 5 J in. or less ; wings longer than tail. (G.) 

A. Bill slender, not depressed ; rictal bristles small, or none. 

(B.) 

B. Plumage entirely black and white streaked ; no yellow any- 
where; hind toe and claw very long 1. Mniotilta. 

B. Plumage not merely black and white ; tail feathers, some or 

all of them, blotched with white. (F.) 
B. Tail feathers with no white blotches. (O.) 
C. Tail feathers with inner webs yellow and outer webs dusky ; 

plumage chiefly yellow 7. Dendroica. 

C Tail feathers with the same color on both webs. (D.) 
D. Conspicuously spotted below, thrush-like; back brown or 

dusky; legs long 8. Seiurus. 

D. Not spotted or streaked below. (B.) 
E. Back olive or olive green ; below with more or less of bright 
yellow; wings and tail of about equal length; tail 

rounded; head not striped..* 9. Geothlypis. 

E. Crown with two black stripes separated by a broad one of 
buff; two other black stripes back of eyes. . . .4. Helmitherus. 

B. Bill very much compressed ; top of bill straight, with the 

middle portion elevated into a distinct narrow ridge; 

crown not brightly striped 3. Helinaia. 

B. Tail much shorter than wing ; middle toe with claw decid- 
edly shorter than the naked tarsus in front ; rictus with- 
out evident bristles 5. Helm inthophila. 

F. Whole head and neck bright yellow; no white or yellow 

wing bars ; bill notched, J in. or more long.. 2. Protonotaria. 

F. Rictus with evident bristles ; hind toe evidently longer than 

its claw ' f bluish gray above, with a golden-green patch on 

the back 6. Compsothlypis. 

F. Eictus with evident bristles ; hind toe scarcely longer than 



18 KEY OF BIEDS. 

its claw; bill usually not very acute and usually with a 

slight notch near its tip 7. Dendroica. 

F. Rictus without evident bristles; bill very acute, scarcely 
notched 5. Helminthophila. 

Or. Under parts bright yellow .11. Sylvania. 

Or. Belly without yellow in our species 12. Setophaga. 

1. Mniotilta mria. (Black and White Warbler.) 

2. Protonotaria citrea. (Prothonotaria Warbler.) 

3. Uelinaia swainsonii. (Swainson's Warbler.) 

4. Helmitherus vermivorus. (Worm-eating Warbler.) 

5. Helminthophila. 

* Wing bars present, either white or yellow ; about three of the 

outer tail feathers white on the inner web ; head or breast 
with black. (B.) 

* Wings plain olive green or gray ; no distinct white or yellow 

wing bars ; very little, if any, white on the inner web of the 
tail feathers ; no black anywhere. (A.) 

A. No colored crown patch; crissum pure white 

,. H. peregrlna. (Tennessee Warbler.) 

A. Crown patch chestnut ; below uniform yellow... 

H. ruficapilla. (Nashville Warbler.) 

A. Crown patch orange brown; below greenish yellow 

H. celata. (Orange-crowned Warbler.) 

B. Throat and ear coverts either black, dusky, gray or olive 

H. chrysoptera. (Golden- winged Warbler.) 

B. Throat either pure yellow or pure white, a narrow black 

streak back of the eye 

H. pmus. (Blue-winged Yellow Warbler. ) 

6. Compsothlypis americana. (Blue Yellow-backed Warbler.) 

7. Dendroica (den-dre-ca). 

* Tail feathers edged with yellow and without white ; plumage 

chiefly yellow, D. cestiva. (Yellow Warbler. ) 

* Tail feathers blotched with white. (A.) 



Family VII. MNIOTILTID^. 19 

A. No wing bars, but a white blotch on the primaries near 
their base 

D. ccerulescens. (Black-throated Blue Warbler.) 

A. Primaries without white blotch ; wing bars, if present, not 

white. (B.) 
A. Primaries without white blotch ; wing bars or wing patch 
white. (B.) 
B. Bump and crown patch yellow ; sides of breast also generally 

yellow D. coronata. (Yellow-rumped Warbler.) 

B. Bump and belly yellow; white blotches at the middle of 
nearly all the tail feathers ; crown not yellow, usually clear 

ash D. maculosa. (Magnolia Warbler.) 

B. Bump and sides of neck usually yellow ; bill very acute and 

distinctly decurved D. tigrina. (Cape May Warbler.) 

B. Bump not yellow ; bill not very acute. (C.) 
C Throat yellow or orange; crown with a small or large 
yellow or orange spot ; outer tail feathers with outer edge 
white edged, as well as white blotches on the inner 

web D. bldckburnioe. (Blackburnian Warbler.) 

O. Crissum white ; no bright yellow anywhere ; crown black ; 

everywhere much streaked with black 

D. striata. (Black-poll Warbler.) 

C. Crissum bufiy; no bright yellow anywhere; crown and 

throat usually chestnut,.!), castania. (Autumn Warbler.) 

C. No bright yellow anywhere; entire upper part sky blue 

(male) or dull greenish, brightest on the head (female)... 

D. cozrulea. (Cserulean Warbler.) 

C. Throat, breast and sides black or with black traces, some- 
times veiled with yellowish on the tips of the feathers ; 
outer tail feathers with outer edges, as well as blotches on 

the inner webs, white 

D. virens. (Black-throated Green Warbler.) 

O. Not as above ; throat more or less yellow. (D.) 



20 KEY OF BIEDS. 

D. Tail blotches oblique at the end of two or three outer feath- 
ers D. vigor sii. (Pine-creeping Warbler.) 

D. Throat definitely yellow; belly white; back with no 
greenish D. dominica. (Yellow-throated Warbler. ) 

E. Wing bars and belly yellow.. D. discolor. (Prairie Warbler.) 

E. Wing bars yellow and belly pure white 

D. pennsylvdnica. (Chestnut-sided Warbler.) 

B. Wing bars brownish ; white blotches square, and on only 

two of the outer tail feathers 

r D. palmdrum (Palm Warbler.) 

B. Wing bars not conspicuous; whole under parts yellow; 

back ashy, without any tint of green or olive 

D. Jcirtlandi. (Kirtland's Warbler.) 

8. Seiurus. 

* Crown orange-brown, with two black stripes 

S. aurocapillus. (Oven-bird.) 

* Crown plain brownish. (A.) 

A. Line over eye bufiy ; bill about J in. long 

S. noveboracensis. (Water Thrush.) 

A. Line over eye white; bill about f in. long 

S. motacilla. (Louisiana Water Thrush.) 

9. Geothlypis. 

* Wings over 2 J in. long, and decidedly longer than tail. (B.) 

* Wings under 2 i in. long, and about equal the tail. (A.) 

A. Wings and tail about 2 in. long 

G. trichas. (Maryland Yellow-throat.) 

A. Wings and tail decidedly over 2 in. long 

c . . G. Philadelphia. (Mourning Warbler. ) 

B. Head without black ; crown and throat ash ; a whitish eye 

ring , G. dgilis. (Connecticut Warbler.) 

B. Head with black; line over eye and under parts yellow 

.G.formdsa. (Kentucky Warbler.) 

10. Ictiria virens. (Yellow-breasted Chat.) 

11. Sylvdnia. 



Family VIII. VIKEONID.E. 21 

* Tail feathers with white blotches 

, S. mitrata. (Hooded Warbler.) 

* No white blotches on the inner webs of tail feathers. (A.) 
A. Above yellow olive ; crown black without streaks 

S. pusilla. (Green Black-capped Warbler.) 

A. Above bluish ash ; crown streaked -. 

S. canadensis. (Canadian Warbler.) 

12. Set6phaga ruticilla. (American Eedstart.) 

Family VIII. VIREONIDiE. (Vibeos.) 
Vireo. 

* A distinct short first primary. (C.) 

* No distinct short first primary. (A.) 

A. Stout species ; bill stout, blue-black ; two white wing bars ; a 

pale ring around eye 

V.fldvifrons. (Yellow-throated Vireo.) 

A. Slender species ; bill slender, light colored ; no wing bars 
nor conspicuous ring around eye. (B.) 

B. Crown ashy, with blackish edgings 

V. olivaceous. (Ked-eyed Vireo.) 

B. Crown ashy, with no blackish lines 

V. philadelphicus. (Philadelphia Vireo. ) 

O. Slender species ; bill slender, light colored ; no wing bars... 

V. gilvus. (Warbling Vireo.) 

C Stout species ; bill stout, blue black ; two pale wing bars. 

_ (D.) 
D. Bird over 5 in. long ; below rather whitish, with but little 
show of yellow ; wings pointed and decidedly longer than 

tail V. solitarius. (Blue-headed Vireo. ) 

D. Five in. or less long; some bright yellow below; wings 
rather rounded and but little longer than tail. (E.) 

E. Line around eye yellow 

V. noveboracensis. ( Wliite-ey ed Vireo. ) 

E, Line around eye whitish V, belli (Bell's Vireo,) 



22 KEY OF BIKDS. 

Family IX. LANIIDu£3. (Shrikes.) 
L&nius. 

* Breast with distinct wavy cross lines; forehead white 

L. borealis. (Great Northern Shrike.) 

* Breast with no distinct wavy cross lines; forehead black 

L. ludovicianus. (Loggerhead Shrike.) 

Family X. AMPELID-£E. (Chatterers.) 
A mpelis. 

* Crissum chestnut; wing bar white 

A. garrulus. (Bohemian Waxwing.) 

* Crissum white ; no wing bar 

, A. cedrorum. (Cedar Waxwing.) 

Family XI. HIRUNDINIDiE. (Swallows.) 

* Tail even ; first primary not rough on the outer edge ; plumage 

lustrous , 2. Petrochelidon. 

* Tail nearly even; first primary with rough outer edge; 

plumage not lustrous 6. Stelgidopteryx. 

* Tail decidedly forked. (A.) 

A. Tail forked for more than half its length; tip of outer 

feathers very narrow; color steel blue 3. Chelidon. 

A. Tail forked for less than half its length. (B.) 

B . Plumage plain brown, without lustre 5. Clivicola. 

B. Plumage lustrous blue black throughout (male), whitish and 

streaky below (female) 1. Progne. 

B. Plumage lustrous blue green above, pure white below... 

4. Tachycineta. 

1. Progne siibis. (Purple Martin.) 

2. Petrochelidon lunifrons. (Cliff Swallow.) 

3. Chelidon erythrog&ster. (Barn Swallow.) 

4. Tachycineta bicolor, (White-bellied Swallow.) 






Family XIII. FBINGILLIDJE. 23 



5. CUvicola riparia (Sand Martin.) 

6. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. (Bough-winged Swallow.) 

Family XII. TANAGRIDiE. (Tanageks.) 
Pirdnga. 

* Male red, with black wings and tail ; female clear olive and 

yellow P. erythromelas. (Scarlet Tanager. ) 

* Male red throughout; female brownish olive and dull 

yellow...., P. rubra. (Summer Tanager.) 

Family XIII. PRINGILLIDJE. (Finches.) 

* Mandibles long and much curved, their points crossed at tip.. 

4. Loxla. 

* Bill very large and stout, as high at base as long ; culmen and 

gonys usually much curved. (T.) 

* Bill neither very stout nor with the points crossed at tip. (A.) 
A. Bather evenly-colored birds; there may be large patches of 

different colors but they are not sharply spotted or 
streaked either above or below ; some are mottled, but 
not definitely so. (P.) 
A. Decidedly spotted or streaked either above or below. (B.) 
B. Outer tail feathers rounded at tip ; middle ones very acute 
pointed ; tail notched ; hind claw elongated, nearly as long 
as the bill and but little curved. (O.) 
B. About all the tail feathers narrow and acute and in many 
cases stiff; back conspicuously streaked; hind claw not 
especially elongated. (M.) 
B. Tail feathers not especially narrow, usually rounded at tip, 
if pointed the ends form an obtuse angle ; tail feathers not 
stiff. (C.) 
C. Hind claw elongated, twice as long as the middle claw and 

much curved; plumage white or white and brown 

10. Plectrophenax. 



24 KEY OF BIBDS. 

C. Hind claw not twice as long as the middle claw. (D.) 
D. Sparrows of rather large size, 7 in. or more long. (L.) 
D. Sparrows less than 7 in. long. (E.) 
B. Tertiary wing quills very much elongated ; a white wing 

patch 28. Calamospiza. 

E. Tertials not elongated ; tail rounded, its outer feathers with 

white; hind claw short 15. Chondestes. 

E. Tertials not elongated; outer tail feathers without white. 
(F.) 
P. Plumage with some definite red. (K.) 
P. Plumage with definite yellow somewhere. (J.) 
P. With neither clear red nor yellow anywhere. (Or.) 
Gh Plumage much streaked below. (I.) 
G. Not streaked below in adult birds. (H.) 
H. Tail forked ; wings and tail about equal in length ; crown 

chestnut in adult (streaky in young) 17. Spizella. 

H. Tail notched ; wings longer than tail ; crown either ashy- 
brown or liver-brown ; introduced birds 9. Passer. 

H. Tail rounded; wings either shorter than tail or of equal 

length ; crown chestnut in adult 20. Melospiza. 

I. Olivaceous, no black or chestnut ; bill rather stout ; wings 
long, pointed, much longer than the notched tail ; female 

of. , 3. Carpodacus. 

I. Tail rounded ; back much streaked ; crown with an obscure 

pale medium stripe ,.., 20. Melospiza. 

J. With much yellow on edges of quills and tail feathers ; bill 

quite acute 7. Spinus. 

J. Edge of wing, line over eye, breast and part of belly yellow 

27. Spiza. 

J. Edge of wing yellow or yellowish ; breast buffy ; back largely 

chestnut t 19. Peuccea. 

K. Crown red; chin blackish; breast in males reddish or 
pinkish ..=..,. 6. Acanthis. 



Family XIII. FKINGILLID^. 25 

K. Crown, chin, throat, and, generally, the whole plumage, 

with red washings ; male of. 3. Carpodacus. 

L. Head in adult striped, in young chestnut; plumage not 

streaked below ; tail not forked 16. Zonotrichia. 

L. Kump, tail and wings with much chestnut or rusty red ; large 

arrow-shaped spots on the white breast 21. Passer ella. 

L. Bill pale ; body pure white in summer ; in winter, the white 

of body much clouded with clear, warm brown 

10. Plectrophenax. 

M. Outer tail feathers with white; bend of wing chestnut 

13. Pooccetes. 

M. Outer tail feathers without white; edge of wing yellow 
(N.) 

N. Breast with yellow ; throat with more or less black 

27. Spiza. 

N. Breast without yellow; throat without black; plumage 

streaked below 14. Ammodramus. 

O. Outer tail feathers almost entirely white ; others, except the 
middle pair, tipped with black ; bend of wing chestnut... 

12. Bhynchophanes. 

O. Not as above ; a brownish or chestnut-colored collar around 

neck , 11. Calcarius. 

P. Tail decidedly longer than the wings ; large birds, over 7 in. 

long; black or clear brown above; sides chestnut 

22. Pipilo. 

P. Tail and wings of about equal length; blackish or ashy 

colored above; belly and outer tail feathers white < 

18. Junco. 

P. Wings longer than the tail. (Q.) 
Q. Birds over 6 in. long ; wings over 3 \ in. long. (S.) 
Q. Birds under 6 in. long; wings under 3 \ in. long. (R.) 
R. Male entirely blue, or blue, red, purple, gold and white; 
female brown, with or without white 26, Passerina, 



26 KEY OF BIKDS. 

R. Both sexes with crimson, black, yellow, white and plain 

brown 8. Carduelis. 

S. General color white, with some black or clear brown 

10. Plectrophenax. 

S. Brownish above and below, with rosy edgings; black or 

clear ash on head; tail somewhat notched 

5. Leucosticte. 

S. Male blue, with chestnut on wings; female plain brown; 

tail even... 25. Guiraca. 

T. Conspicuously crested; plumage chiefly red or extensively 

washed with red; bill red; tail longer than the wings 

23. Cardinalis. 

T. No crest; tail shorter than the wings. (U.) 
U. Kather small birds ; wings 3f in. or less long. (W.) 
U. Bather large birds ; wings over 3| in. long. (V.) 
V. Under tail coverts yellow; inner secondaries and wing 
coverts white ; bill greenish yellow ; wings nearly twice 

the length of the tail 1. Coccothraustes. 

V. General colors black and white (male) or brown streaked 
(female) ; under wing coverts rosy or yellow ; tail with 

white blotches... 24. Habia. 

V. General colors rosy red (male) or ashy gray with brownish 

yellow on head and rump (female) .2. Pinicola. 

W. Tertiary wing feathers very much elongated ; a large white 

wing patch 28. Calamospiza. 

W. Blue (male) or brownish or tawny (female) ; wing bars 

chestnut or whitish ; wings over 3 in. long. .25. Guiraca. 

W. Streaky, no yellow; male with much red; female olive 

brown; wings over 3 in. long 3. Carpodacus. 

W. Streaky, no yellow ; wings white barred and under 3 in. 
long 9. Passer. 

1. Coccothraustes (thr6s-tes) vespertmus. (Evening Grosbeak.) 

2. Pinicola enucledtor. (Pine Grosbeak.) 

3. Carpodacus purpureus. (Purple Finch.) 






Family XIII. FRINGILLID.E. 27 

4. Loxia. 

* Wings with two white bars 

L. leucoptera. (White- winged Crossbill. ) 

* Wings without white L. curvirostra. (Eed Crossbill. ) 

5. Leucosticte tephrocotis. (Gray-crowned Leucosticte.) 

6. Acdnthis. 

* Hump distinctly streaked; inner webs of tail feathers very 

slightly, if at all, edged with white 

A. Unarm. (Redpoll Linnet.) 

* Rump plain white or pinkish; tail feathers broadly edged 

with white A . hornemannii. (Greenland Redpoll.) 

7. Spinus. 

* Plumage not sharply streaked ; no distinct ruff at base of 

bill , S. tristis. (American Goldfinch.) 

* Plumage sharply streaked ; no black on head ; bill sharp and 

with distinct ruff at base S. pinus. (Pine Siskin.) 

8. Carduelis carduelis. (European Goldfinch.) 

9. Passer domesticus. (European House Sparrow.) 

10. Plectrophenax nivalis. (Snow Bunting.) 

11. Calcarius lapponicus. (Lapland Longspur.) 

12. Bhynchophanes mccownii. (Maccown's Bunting.) 

13. Poocaetes gramineus. (Vesper Sparrow.) 

14. Ammodramus. 

* Outer pair of tail feathers longer than the middle pair ; wings 

much longer than the tail. (D.) 

* Tail distinctly double rounded ; the outer pair of feathers a 

little shorter than the middle ones ; bird about 5 in. long.... 
A. savannarum. (Grasshopper Sparrow.) 

* Tail graduated, the outer feathers gradually shorter, the outer 

pair shortest. (A.) 
A. Tail feathers acute but not stiff; crown with a medium 

light stripe; inland species. (C.) 
A. Tail feathers acute and rather stiff; crown without medium 
light stripe ; sea-shore species. (B.) 



28 KEY OF BIEDS. 

B. No yellow spot about eye , 

A. cauddcutus. (Sharp-tailed Finch.) 

B. A yellow spot before eye...A. maritimus. (Sea-side Finch.) 

O. Breast with some sharp black streaks 

A. hensldwii. (Henslow's Sparrow.) 

C. Breast without spots A. leconteii. (Le Conte's Sparrow.) 

D. Back not very sharply streaked with sandy brown 

A. princeps. (Ipswich Sparrow.) 

D. Back sharply streaked with blackish 

A, sandwichensis. (Savanna Sparrow.) 

15. Chondestes gr&mmacus. (Lark Sparrow.) 

16. Zonotrlchia. 

* Head with some distinct yellow. (B.) 

* Plumage with no yellow anywhere. (A.) 

A. Crown without pale medium stripe 

, .....Z. querula. (Harris's Sparrow.) 

A. Crown with white medium band 

Z. leucophrys. (White-crowned Sparrow.) 

B. Crown stripe yellow in front 

Z. coronata. (Golden-crowned Sparrow. ) 

B. Crown stripe without yellow; spot over eye and edge of 
wing yellow Z. albicollis. (White-throated Sparrow.) 

17. Spizella. 

* Crown grayish with a light stripe 

S. pallida. (Clay-colored Sparrow.) 

* Crown dull chestnut; no black on forehead 

S. pusilla.. (Field Sparrow.) 

* Crown bright chestnut. (A.) 

A. Forehead without black S. mojiticola. (Tree Sparrow.) 

A. Forehead black S. soci&lis. (Chippy-bird.) 

18. Jiinco hy emails. (Snowbird.) 

19. Peuccea aestivalis. (Pine- woods Sparrow.) 

20. Melospiza, 



Family XIV. ICTERIILE. 29 

* Crown with a faint pale medium stripe ; bird much streaked 

above and on the breast and sides 

M.faci&ta. (Song Sparrow.) 

* Everywhere sharply streaked ; crown not chestnut 

M. lincolni. (Lincoln's Finch.) 

* Crown bright dark chestnut ; wings and tail edged with chest- 

nut M. georgi&na. (Swamp Sparrow.) 

21. Passer SUa ihaca. (Fox Sparrow.) 

22. Pipilo eryilirophtMlmus. (Chewink.) 

23. Cardinalis cardinalis. (Cardinal Grosbeak.) 

24. Habia ludovicictna. (Rose-breasted Grosbeak.) 

25. Guiraca ccemlea. (Blue Grosbeak.) 

26. Passer ina. 

* Gonys with a black stripe P. cy&nea. (Indigo-bird.) 

* Gonys without black stripe P. ci ris. (Nonpariel. ) 

27. Spiza americdna. (Black-throated Bunting.) 

28. Caldmosplza melanocdrys. (Lark Bunting.) 

Family XIV. ICTERIDiE. (Blackbirds, Etc.) 

* Tail feathers acute at tip. (F.) 

* Tail feathers usually rounded, never very acute. (A.) 

A. Bill nearly straight, the commissure sometimes curved but 
the tip not evidently decurved. (C.) 

A. Bill with the tip evidently decurved. (B.) 

B. Tail much shorter than the wings, the feathers of nearly 

equal length « 7. Scolecophagus. 

B. Tail as long as the wings, its feathers graduated..8. Quiscalus. 

C. Bill much shorter than the head, finch-like.... 2. Moloihrus. 

O. Bill about as long as the head. (D.) 

D. Bill slender; wing less than 4 in. long 6. Icterus. 

D. Bill stouter ; wing 4 in. or more long. (B.) 

B. Side claws about as long as the middle one 

3. Xanihocephalus. 



30 KEY OF BIBDS. 

B. Side claws decidedly shorter than the middle one 

4. Agelaius. 

F. Bill shorter than the head, finch-like 1. Dolichonyx. 

F. Bill as long as the head , 5. Sturnella. 

1. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. (Bobolink, Keedbird.) 

2. Molothrus titer. (Cowbird.) 

3. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. (Yellow-headed Blackbird.) 

4. Agelaius (aj-e-16-us) phceniceus. (Ked-winged Blackbird.) 
6. Sturnella magna. (Meadowlark.) 

6. Icterus. 

* Tail graduated for J- its length.../, spurius. (Orchard Oriole.) 

* Tail nearly even I. gdlbula. (Baltimore Oriole.) 

7. Scolecophagus carohnus. (Busty Grackle.) 

8. Quisccdus quiscula. (Crow Blackbird.) 

Family XV. CORVXD^E. (Crows and Jays.) 

* Tail only f as long as the pointed wings; plumage black 

1. Corvus. 

* Tail as long or longer than the rounded wings. (A.) 

A. Colors black and white; tail much graduated and much 
longer than the wings ; wing over 7 in. long ; no crest.... 
2. Pica. 

A. Head crested ; general color blue.. , 3. Cyanocitta. 

A. No crest ; ashy gray, no blue ; wings and tail about equal 
in length 4, Perisoreus. 

1. Cdrvus. 

* Feathers of throat narrow, stiff, sharp-pointed, with distinct 

outlines C. cbrax. (Kaven.) 

* Throat feathers short, oval, blended. (A.) 

A. Wing over 12 in. long C. americana. (Crow.) 

A. Wing under 12 in. long. C. ossifragus. (Fish Crow.) 

2. Pica pica. (Magpie.) 

3. Cyanocitta cristdta. (Blue Jay.) 

4. Perisbreus canadensis. (Canada Jay.) 



Family XVII. TYEANNID^J. 31 

Family XVI. ALAUDIDiE. (Larks.) 

* Pirst primary short ; tail deeply notched 1. Alauda. 

* First primary long ; tail even or rounded 2. Otocoris. 

1. Alduda arvensis. (Skylark.) 

2. Otocoris alpestris. (Horned Lark.) 

Family XVII. TYRANNIDiE. (Flycatchers, Etc.) 

* Crown with patch of red or yellow, which can be seen by dis- 

placing the crown feathers. (C.) 

* Crown without concealed bright-colored feathers ; outer 

primaries not narrowed near their tips. (A.) 
A. Length 8 in. or more; head with a slight crest; light- 
chestnut edges Id the wing and tail feathers 

3. Myiarchus. 

A. Length less than 8 in. ; no chestnut on wings and tail. (B.) 
B. Bill all black, but little wider than high at base ; wing and 

tail of nearly equal length; wing 3 \ in. or more 

, 4. Sayoimis. 

B. Bill either pale below or else the wing is less than 2§ in. 
long ; bill broad and much depressed ; wing 3 in. or less... 

6. Empidonax. 

B. Not as above; wings over 3 in. long 5. Contopus. 

O. Tail much longer than the wings and deeply forked 

1. Milmlus. 

C. Tail not longer than the wings and even or rounded 

2. Tyrannus. 

1. Milmlus. 

* Cap black M. tyrannus. (Forked-tailed Flycatcher.) 

* Cap ashy M.forficdtus. (Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.) 

2. Tyrannus. 

* No olive or decided yellow; all tail feathers tipped with 

white ,, T. tyrannus. (Kingbird.) 



32 KEY OF BIKDS. 

* With olive and yellow; outer tail feathers with white 

T. verticalis. (Arkansas Kingbird.) 

3. Myidrchus crinitus. (Great-crested Flycatcher.) 

4. Saybrnis phoebe. (Phoebe.) 

5. Contdpus. 

* A tuft of white fluffy feathers on each side of rump ; wing 

about 4 in. long C. bormlis. (Olive-sided Flycatcher.) 

* No conspicuous cottony tuft; wing 3 J in. or less 

C. virens. (Wood Pewee.) 

6. Empiddnax. 

* Distinctly yellow below , 

E. flaviventris. (Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.) 

* Lower parts not distinctly yellow. (A.) 

A. A yellowish ring around eye ; longest primary nearly an 

inch longer than the secondaries 

E. ac&dicus. (Green-crested Flycatcher. ) 

A. No distinct yellowish ring around eye. (B.) 

B. Longest primary over J in. longer than the secondaries 

E.pusillus. (Little Flycatcher.) 

B. Longest primary only J in. longer than the secondaries; 
tail slightly notched E. minimus. (Least Flycatcher.) 



Family XVIII. OAPRIMULGID-2E. (Goatsuckers,) 

* Tail rounded; rictal bristles long and stiff. 1. Antrostomus. 

* Tail notched; rictal bristles very short 2. Chwdeiles. 

1. Antrostomus. 

* Kictal bristles unbranched A. vodferus. (Whip-poor-will.) 

* Eictal bristles branched.. J., carolinensis. (ChuckwilFs Widow.) 

2. Chordeiles (di-les) virginianus. (Night Hawk.) 



Family XIX. MIOROPODIDiE. (Swifts.) 
Chcetura peldgica. (Chimney Swift.) 



Family XXI. PICID^E. 33 

Family XX. TROOHILID-^l. (Humming-Birds.) 
Tivchilus colubris. (Kuby-throated Humming-bird.) 

Family XXI. PICIDJE. (Woodpeckers.) 

* Head with a conspicuous crest; large birds, over 16 in. long. 

(D.) 

* Head not crested ; birds under 15 in. long. (A.) 

A. Hind toe single; bill broad, compressed 4. Picoides. 

A. Hind toes two. (B.) 
B. Large birds, 12-14 in. long; belly with, round black spots.... 

, 7. Colaptes. 

B. Birds 10 in. or less long. (C.) 
O. Nasal groove running nearly to the tip of the bill ; feathers 
with round white or black spots ; no yellow..3. Dryobates. 
C. Nasal groove running into the tomia near the middle of the 

bill; belly with some yellow 5. Sphyrapicus. 

C. Upper mandible with a ridge below the nostril extending 

to the tip of bill ; the tip somewhat truncate 

6. Melanerpes. 

D . Bill and nasal feathers dark colored 1 . Ceophloeus. 

D. Bill and nasal feathers light colored 2. Campephilus. 

1. Ceophloeus pileatus. (Pileated Woodpecker.) 

2. Campephilus principalis. (Ivory-billed Woodpecker.) 

3. Dryobates. 

* Back black, barred with white, not lengthwise streaked 

D. boredlis. (Bed-cockaded Woodpecker.) 

* Back black, with a long white stripe ; no cross bars. (A.) 
A. Outer tail feathers white 

.„...„ « D. villosus. (Hairy Woodpecker.) 

A. Outer tail feathers black and white barred 

s ..D. pubescens. (Downy Woodpecker.) 



34 KEY OF BIRDS. 

4. Picoides. 

* Top of head and back without white . 

. . P. arcticus. (Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.) 

* Back with some white 

P. americdnus. (American Three-toed Woodpecker.) 

5. Sphyr&picus varius. (Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.) 

6. Melanerpes. 

* Whole head and neck crimson 

M. erythrocephalus. (Eed-headed Woodpecker.) 

* Whole head and neck not crimson; male with top of head 

and hind neck scarlet 

M. carolinus. (Red-bellied Woodpecker.) 

7. Coldptes auratus. (Flicker.) 

Family XXII. CUCULIDiE. (Cuckoos.) 
Coccygus. 

* Bill yellow below ; wings with reddish 

C. americ&na. (Yellow-billed Cuckoo.) 

* Bill chiefly black; wings without reddish 

C. eryihrophihalmus. (Black-billed Cuckoo.) 

Family XXIII. ALCBDINIDiE. (Kingfishers.) 
Ceryle alcyon. (Belted Kingfisher.) 

Family XXIV. PSITTACIDiE. (Parrots.) 

Conurus carolinensis. (Carolina Paroquet.) 

Family XXV. BUBONIDiE. (Owls.) 

* Tarsus nearly naked, very long, twice as long as the middle 

toe; wing under 8 in. long 8 9. Speotyto. 

* Tarsus fully feathered. (A.) 



Family XXVI. STKIGID.E. 35 

A. Head with conspicuous ear tufts; plumage not chiefly 
white, (D.) 

A. Head without evident ear tufts. (B.) 
B. Plumage chiefly white ; tail rounded; large bird... 7. Nyctea. 
B. Plumage not white. (C.) 

C. Wing 16-18 in. ; tail f the length of wing 3. Scotiaptex. 

C. Wing 12-15 in. ; tail f wing... 2. Syrnium. 

C. Wing 8-10 in.; tail J wing 8. Surnia. 

C. Wing 12-13 in. ; tail J wing 1. Asio. 

C. Wing 5-7 in 4. Nyctala. 

D. Wing 14-16 in. ; tail f wing 6. Bubo, 

D. Wing 12-13 in. ; tail J wing 1. Asio. 

D. Wing 5-8 in , 5. Megascops. 

1. Asio. 

* Ear tufts large, of eight to twelve feathers 

A. ivilsonianus. (Long-eared Owl.) 

* Ear tufts small, of few feathers 

A. accipitrinus. (Short-eared Owl.) 

2. Symium nebuldsum. (Barred Owl.) 

3. Scotiaptex cinereum. (Spectral Owl.) 

4. Nyctala. 

* Bill yellow; cere not swollen... N. tengmalmi. (Sparrow Owl.) 

* Bill black ; cere swollen N. acadica. (Saw- whet Owl.) 

5. Megascops asio. (Screech Owl.) 

6. Bubo virginianus. (Great-horned Owl.) 

7. Nyctea nyctea. (Snowy Owl.) 

8. Surnia ulula. (Day Owl.) 

9. Speotyto cuniculdria. (Burrowing Owl.) 



Family XXVI. STRIGIDiE. (Barn Owls.) 
Strix pratincola. (American Barn OwL) 



36 KEY OF BIRDS. 

Family XXVII. FALCONIDiE. (Falcons.) 

* Claws all of tlie same length, narrowed and rounded on the 

lower side; outer toe can be used either in front or behind.. 
12. Pandion. 

* Claws of graduated lengths, the hind claw largest, the outer 

front one smallest ; outer toe not versatile. (A.) 
A. Tarsus feathered to the toes, at least in front. (I.) 

A. Tarsus bare for at least J of its length. (B.) 

B. Tarsus reticulate all around ; if there are any regular scu- 
tella in front, they are found only on the lower part of 
the tarsus. (Gr.) 
B. Tarsus distinctly scutellate (or booted) only in front. (E.) 
B. Tarsus scutellate in front and behind. (C.) 
C. Upper tail coverts white. (D.) 

C. Upper tail coverts not white 6. Buteo. 

D. Wings very long (13 in. or more), more than 4 times the 

length of tarsus 4. Circus. 

D. Wings 12 in. or less, rounded, not over 4 times the length of 
the tarsus 7. Asturina. 

B. Toes not webbed at all at base ; neck feathers sharp-pointed; 

wing over 20 in. long 10. Haliceetus. 

B. Toes somewhat webbed at base ; wing less than 15 in. long 

(p.) 

F. Nostril nearly circular; tail not f the length of the wing 

3. Ictinia. 

F. Nostril oval; tail over f the wing 5. Accipiter. 

Gr. Nostril small, circular, with a conspicuous, central, bony 
tubercle ; upper mandible with a strong tooth and notch 

back of the hooked tip 11. Falco. 

Gr. Nostril oval and with no inner bony tubercle. (H.) 

H. Tail very deeply forked 1. Elanoides. 

H. Tail not deeply forked ; claws not grooved below..2. Elanus. 






Family XXVII. FALCONID^. 37 

I. Tarsus densely feathered all around ; wing over 22 in 

9. Aquila. 

I. Tarsus with a bare strip behind ; wing under 20 in 

8. Archibuteo. 

1. Elandides forficatus. (Swallow-tailed Kite.) 

2. Elanus leucurus. (White-tailed Kite.) 

3. Ictinia missksippiensis. (Mississippi Kite.) 

4. Circus hudsonius. (Marsh Harrier.) 

5. Accipiter. 

* Wing under 9 in. long ; tail square A. velox. (Pigeon Hawk.) 

* Wing 9-11 in. long; tail rounded 

A. cobperi. (Chicken Hawk.) 

* Wing 12 in. or more long A. atricapillus. (Goshawk.) 

6. Buteo. 

* Outer webs of primaries with white, bufly or reddish spots ; 

four outer primaries notched on the inner web 

B. lineatus. (Chicken HaAvk.) 

* Outer webs of primaries not spotted as above. (A.) 

A. Four outer primaries notched on the inner web. (C.) 
A. Three outer primaries notched. (B.) 
B. Wing over 14 in. long...I?. swainsoni. (Swainson's Buzzard.) 

B. Wing under 12 in. long 

B. latissimus. (Broad- winged Buzzard. ) 

C. Head and neck streaked with rusty red ; tail bright chest- 
nut red B. borealis. (Hen Hawk.) 

C. Head never streaked with bufly or reddish 

B. hdrlani. (Black Hawk.) 

7. Asturina plagiata. (Gray Hawk.) 

8. Archibuteo. 

* Gape less than 1} in. wide at base 

A. lagopus. (Bough-legged Hawk.) 

* Gape over 1J in. wide at base.... 

^ A. ferrugineus. (Western Kough-legged Hawk ) 

9. Aquila chrysaetos. (Golden Eagle.) 



38 KEY OF BIRDS. 

10. Halueetus (hal-i-a-e-tus) leucocephalus. (Bald Eagle.) 

11. F&lco. 

* Only one primary notched on the inner web ; wing 12 in. or 

more long. (B.) 

* Two primaries notched ; wing under 10 in. long. (A.) 

A. Basal joints of the toes with six-sided scales ; middle toe 

over 1 in. long F. columbarius. (Pigeon Hawk.) 

A. Not such six-sided scales; middle toe under 1 in. long 

F. sparverius. (Sparrow Hawk.) 

B. Tarsus hardly at all feathered at the upper end 

F.peregrinus. (Duck Hawk.) 

B. Tarsus feathered in front not over half way down 

F. mexicdnus. (Prairie Falcon.) 

B. Tarsus densely feathered over half way down 

, F. rusticolus. (Gray Gyrfalcon.) 

12. Pandion halia'etus. (Fish Hawk.) 

Family XXVIII. CATHARTIDiE. (Vultures.) 

* Tail rounded; nostril large and broad ......... 1. Cathartes. 

* Tail square; nostril small and narrow 2. Catharista. 

1. Cathartes auro. (Turkey Buzzard.) 

2. Catharista atrdta. (Black Buzzard.) 

Family XXIX. COLUMBIDiB. (Pigeons.) 

* Tail less than f as long as the wing and rounded , 

3. Colwnbigallina 

* Tail as long or longer than the wing and pointed. (A.) 

A. Tarsus scutellate, entirely bare of feathers and longer than 
the side toes 2. Zenaidura. 

A. Tarsus feathered above at the joint and shorter than the 
side toes 1. Ectopistes. 

1. Ectopistes migratbrius. (Passenger Pigeon.) 

2. Zenaidura macroura. (Mourning Dove.) 

3. Columbigalllna passerlna. (Ground Dove.) 



Family XXXII. H^EMATOPODID^. 39 

Family XXX. TETRAONIDiE. (Grouse.) 

* Tarsus bare throughout, except possibly at the upper joint, 

and scutellate; nostril with a naked scale and without 
feathers ; head not distinctly crested 1 . Colinus. 

* Tarsus feathered about half way ; tail fan-shaped ; neck with 

a ruff of lengthened feathers ....3. Bonasa. 

* Tarsus feathered to the toes. (A.) 

A. Toes also fully feathered ; no ruff or peculiar feathers on 

the neck 4. Lagopus. 

A. Toes naked, except, possibly, at the base. (B.) 
B. Tail more than half as long as the wing ; no ruff or peculiar 

feathers on the neck; tail slightly rounded 

2. Dendragapus. 

B. Tail about half as long as the wing ; no ruff; tail graduated 

the middle feathers much lengthened 6. Pedioccetes. 

B. Tail about half as long as the wing ; neck with a ruff of 
straight, stiff feathers 5. Tympanuchus. 

1. Cotinus virginianus. (Bob White.) 

2. Dendragapus canadensis. (Canada Grouse.) 

3. Bonasa umbellus. (Ruffed Grouse.) 

4. Lagopus lagopus. (Willow Grouse.) 

5. Tympanuchus americdnus. (Prairie Hen.) 

6. Pedioccetes (ped-i-e-se-tes) phasianellus. (Sharp-tailed Grouse.) 

Family XXXI. PHASIANIDiE. (Pheasants.) 
Meleagris gallopavo. (Wild Turkey.) 

Family XXXII. HiEMATOPODIDJE. (Oyster- 
Catchers.) 

Hwmatopus pallidtus. (Oyster-catcher.) 



40 KEY OF BIKDS. 

Family XXXIII. APHRIZIDiE. (Surf Birds.) 

Armaria interpres. (Turnstone.) 

Family XXXIV. CHARADRIIDJB. (Plovers.) 

* Plumage speckled on the back ; tarsus much longer than the 

middle toe and claw ...1. Charadriu 

* Plumage not speckled on the back; tarsus but little longer 

than the middle toe and claw 2. JEgialitis. 

1. Charddrius, 

* Hind toe very short C. squatdrola. (Black-bellied Plover.) 

* No hind toe. . - C. dominicus. (Golden Plover.) 

2. JEgialUis. 

* Wing 6 in. or more long; rump orange-brown. 

JE. vocifera. (Kildeer Plover.) 

* Wing under 6 in. long ; rump colored like the back. (A.) 

A. Bill f in. or more long JE. wihdnia. (Wilson's Plover.) 

A. Bill under f in. long. (B.) 

B. All toes distinctly webbed at base 

.,*..., JE. semipalmata. (King Plover.) 

B. Inner toes without webbing JE. meldda. (Piping Plover.) 

Family XXXV. SCOLOPACIDiE. (Snipe.) 

* Bill very long and much decurved ; tarsus scutellate only in 

front, reticulate behind 16. JSfumenius. 

* Bill not strongly decurved ; tarsus scutellate in front and 

behind. (A.) 

A. Toes only 3, hind toe wanting 8. Calidris. 

A. Toes 4, the hind toe present. (B.) 
B. Eyes situated far back on the head directly above the ears ; 
bill long, with the upper mandible thickened at the tip ; 
toes without distinct webbing at base. (K.) 



Family XXXV. SCOLOPACIDJE. 41 

B. Eyes in the usual position ; bill either long or short. (C.) 
G. Front toes not webbed, or, at most with one minute web. (J.) 
C. Front toes with at least one distinct web. (D.) 
D. Tail more than J as long as wing and graduated 1 in. or 

more 12. Bartramia. 

D. Tail not more than J the wing and never graduated more 
than J the length of the bill. (B.) 
B. Wing less than 4 in. long; bill grooved at tip... 7. JEh^eunetes. 
B. Wing 4 in. or more long. (P.) 

P. Wing about 6 J in. ; bill about 1\ in. ; male with a ruff. 

* 13. Pavoncella. 

F. Bill longer in proportion to the wing. (G.) 
G\ Wing about 4 in. ; bill about 1 in. ; tarsus about as long as 

the middle toe and claw 15. Actitis. 

G\ Wing over 4| in. long. (H.) 
H. Bill slightly broadened at tip ; bill and tarsus about equal 

and under 2 in. long; wing about 5 in 5. Micropalama. 

H. Bill slightly broadened ; bill over 2 in. ; tarsus under 2 in. ; 

wing 5J-6 in 4. Macrorhamphus. 

H. Bill not broadened at tip. (I.) 

I. Wing 8 in. or more long; bill 3-5 in. long 9. Idmosa. 

I. Wing under 8 in. long ; bill slender, not over 2J in. long ; 

basal half of primaries not white 10. Totanus, 

I. Wing usually over 8 in. long ; bill stout, not over 2 J in. 

long ; basal half of primaries white 11. Symphemia. 

J. Under side of wing shows the inner web beautifully mottled... 

, , 14. Tryngites. 

J. Inner webs not mottled; bill longer than middle toe 

6. Tringa. 

K. Tibia naked below ; crown striped lengthwise..3. Gcdlinago. 
K. Tibia entirely feathered ; crown banded crosswise. (L.) 

L. Three outer primaries narrowed and abruptly shortened 

1. Philohela. 

L. Quills not narrowed ; first longer than second 2. Scolopax. 



42 KEY OF BIKDS. 

1. Phildhela minor. (American Woodcock.) 

2. Scolopax rusticola. (European Woodcock.) 

3. Gallinago delicata. (Wilson's Snipe.) 

4. Maa^orhdmpus. 

* Bill not over 2J in M. griseus. (Dowitcher.) 

* Bill over 2J in.; western 

M. scolopaceics. (Long-billed Dowitcher.) 

5. Mkropdlama himdntopus. (Stilt Sandpiper.) 

6. Tringa. 

* Wing 6 in. or more long ; middle pair of tail feathers not 

lengthened T. canutus. (Bobin Snipe.) 

* Wing less than 6 in long ; middle pair of tail feathers acute 

and abruptly lengthened. (A.) 
A. Bill, tarsus and middle toe of about equal length. (D.) 
A. Bill decidedly longer than the tarsus. (B.) 
B. Bill about 1J in. ; middle toe and claw 1J in. ; tarsus 1 in.... 

s T. maritinvx. (Purple Sandpiper.) 

B. Bill over 1J in. ; tarsus over 1 in. (C.) 

C. Upper tail coverts mostly dusky T. olpina. (Dunlin.) 

C. Upper tail coverts white 

T. ferruginea. (Curlew Sandpiper.) 

D. Wing 5 in. or more ; bill over 1 in. ; rump and middle tail 

coverts black or dusky T. maculata. (Jack Snipe. ) 

D. Wing about 5 in. ; bill not over 1 in. ; upper tail coverts 

mainly white T. fusicollis. ( White-rumped Sandpiper.) 

D. Wing about 4f in. ; middle tail coverts plain dusky 

T. bairdii. (Baird's Sandpiper.) 

D. Wing under 4 in. ; tarsus f in 

T. minutilla. (Least Sandpiper.) 

7. Ereunetes. 

* Bill about | in. \ong..E. pusillus. (Semi-palmated Sandpiper.) 

* Bill about 1 in. long E. occidentalis. (Western Sandpiper.) 

8. Cdlidris arenarw. (Sanderling.) 

9. Limosa. 



Family XXXVII. PHALAKOPODIDJE. 43 

* Tail barred with black L. fedoa. (Marbled Godwit.) 

* Tail black, with white base and tip... 

L. hcemdstica. (Black-tailed Godwit.) 

10. Totanus. 

* Wings 7 in. or more; legs yellow 

T. melaiwlmcus. (Greater Yellow-legs.) 

* Wings 6-7 in. ; legs yellow T. fldvipes. (Yellow-legs.) 

* Wings under 6 in. ; legs dusky 

T. solitarius. (Solitary Sandpiper.) 

11. Symphemia semipalmata. (Willet ) 

12. Bartramia longiccaida. (Upland Sandpiper.) 

13. Pavoncella piignax. (Ruff.) 

14. Tryngites suhmficollis. (Buff-breasted Sandpiper.) 

15. Aclltis macularia. (Spotted Sandpiper.) 

16. Numenius. 

* Bill over 5 in. long ; wing over 10 in. ; secondaries and quills 

of wing rusty cinnamon 

N. longirostiis. (Long-billed Curlew. ) 

* Bill 3-4 in. ; wing 9-10 in. ; crown with two broad dusky side 

stripes N. hudsonicus. (Hudsonian Curlew.) 

* Bill 2-3 in. ; wing 8-9 in. ; dusky crown stripes narrow 

N. borealis. (Eskimo Curlew.) 

Family XXXVI. RECURVIROSTRID^3. (Avocets 
and Stilts.) 

* Hind toe present; front toes full- webbed 1. Recurvirostra. 

* No hind toe 2. Himantopus. 

1. Becurvirostra americana. (Avocet.) 

2. Himantopus mexkdnus. (Long-shanks.) 

Family XXXVII. PHALAROPODIDiE. (Phalahopes.) 

* Bill stoutish and with a flattened tip... 1 . Crymophilus. 

* Bill very slender and not flattened 2. Phalaropus. 



44 KEY OF BIRDS. 

1. Crymophilus fulicarius. (Red Phalarope.) 

2. Phaldropus. 

* Membrane along the toes scalloped 

P. lobatus. (Northern Phalarope.) 

* Membrane plain P. tricolor. (Wilson' s Phalarope. ) 

Family XXXVIII. GRUIDiE. (Cranes.) 
Grus. 

* Adult white; tarsus 11 in. or more long 

G. americana. (Whooping Crane.) 

* Adult slaty gray ; tarsus less than 11 in. long. (A.) 
A. Tarsus over 10 in. ; bill over 5 in 

G. mexicana. (Sandhill Crane.) 

A. Tarsus under 9 in. ; bill under 5 in 

G. canadensis. (Little Brown Crane.) 

Family XXXIX. RALLIDiE. (Rails.) 

* Forehead with a shield-like horny extension of bill. (B.) 

* No horny extension of bill on forehead. (A.) 
A. Bill slender, decurved, as long or longer than the tarsus.... 

1. Rallus. 

A. Bill short, under 1 in. long, stout, not decurved.. 2. Porzana. 
B. Toes with broad flap-like, lobed membranes along their edges 

5. Fulica. 

B. Toes with little or no membraneous edges. (C.) 

C. Nostril about \ as long as the gonys 3. Ionornis. 

C. Nostril over J as long as the gonys 4. Gallinula, 

1. Rallus. 
*. Wing less than 5 in. long...._R virginidnus. (Virginia Rail.) 

* Wing over 5 in. long. (A.) 

A. Plumage generally grayish.... B. crepitans. (Clapper Rail.) 

A. Plumage generally brownish or reddish 

, B. elegans. (King Rail.) 



Family XL, AEDEID^E. 45 

2. Porzana. 

* Secondary quills white P. noveboracensis. (Yellow Kail.) 

* Secondaries not white. (A.) 

A. Wing over 4 in. long P. Carolina. (Carolina Eail.) 

A. Wing under 4 in long P. jamaicensis. (Black Kail.) 

3. Iondrnis martinica. (Purple Gallinule.) 

4. GallimUa galedta. (Florida Gallinule.) 

5. Fulica americcina. (American Coot.) 

Family XL. ARDBID-ffi. (Heeons.) 

* Outer toe shorter than the inner toe; claws lengthened 

1. Botaurus. 

* Outer toe as long or longer than the inner ; claws short. (A.) 
A. Bill rather slender; bill 4 times as long as its depth at 

base 2. Ardea. 

A. Bill stouter 3. Nycticorax. 

1. Botaurus. 

* Wing 10 in. or more long..P. lentiginosus. (American Bittern.) 

* Wing 6 in. or less long B. exilis. (Least Bittern.) 

2. Ardea. 

* Wing 11 in. or more long. (C.) 

* Wing under 11 in. long. (A.) 

A. Bill and tarsus of about equal length ; wing over 8 in 

A. tricolor. (Louisiana Heron.) 

A. Bill somewhat longer than tarsus; tarsus 2 \ in. or less 

A. virescens. (Green Heron.) 

A. Bill decidedly shorter than tarsus. (B.) 

B. Color pure white ; plumes on back 

A. candidissima. (Snowy Egret.) 

B. Color not pure white ; no plumes on back 

A. ccerulea. (Little Blue Heron.) 

C. Wing 18-20 in.; color bluish 

, A. herodias. (Great Blue Heron.) 



46 KEY OF BIRDS. 

C Wing 14-18 in. ; color white..., 

A. egretta. (Great White Egret.) 

C. Wing 11J-14 in. ; slate color; head and neck cinnamon 

, , A. rufescens. (Reddish Egret.) 

3. Nycticorax. 

* Bill nearly as long as the tarsus; top and bottom of bill 

slightly convex N. nycticoraz. (Squawk.) 

* Bill much shorter than tarsus ; top and bottom of bill decid- 

edly convex.. JV. violaceus. (Yellow-crowned Night Heron.) 

Family XLI. CICONIIDJE. (Storks.) 
Tantalus loculatoi\ (Wood Ibis.) 

Family XLII. IBIDIDJE. (Ibises.) 

* Head of adult wholly naked in front ; plumage of upper parts 

not metallic 1. Guara. 

* Head naked only in front of the eyes ; plumage of upper 

parts metallic or bronzy 2. Plegadis. 

1. Guara alba. (White Ibis.) 

2. Plegadis antumncdis. (Glossy Ibis.) 

Family XLIII. PLATALBID^]. (Spoonbills.) 
Ajaja (i-i-u-i) ajaja. (Roseate Spoonbill.) 

Family XLIY. ANATIDiE. (Ducks, Geese and Swans.) 

* Neck as long as the body ; adult entirely white ; wing 20 in. 

or more long. (Swans.) 1. Olor. 

* Neck shorter than the body. (A.) 

A. Tarsus as long or longer than the middle toe without claw. 
(Geese.) (P.) 



Family XLIV. ANATIDJE. 47 

A. Tarsus shorter than the middle toe without claw. (Ducks.) 

(B.) 
B. Head crested ; bill nearly cylindrical, only about as wide as 
high throughout ; bill with saw-like teeth. (Fish Ducks.) 
(O.) 
B. Head usually not crested; bill rather broadened, always 
wider than high near tip ; lamellse of bill bluntish. (True 
Ducks.) (C.) 
C. Hind toe with a broad membraneous border or lobe. (Sea 

Ducks.) (Gh) 
C. Hind toe without a distinct membraneous lobe. (River 
Ducks.) (D.) 

D. Bill decidedly broadened towards the tip .6. Spatula. 

D. Bill little, if at all, widened towards the tip. (E.) 

B. Tail feathers broad and rounded at tip ; head more or less 

crested 8. Aix. 

E. Head not crested; tail feathers narrow and rather acute. 

(p.) 

P. Wing over 10 in. long ; bill about 2 in. ; tail graduated for 

more than J its length , 7. Dafila. 

P. Wing and bill are either shorter than above, or else the tail 

is graduated for less than J its length 5. Anas. 

Q. Tail 4J in. or less long, its feathers with narrow webs and 

stiff shafts extending beyond the webs ; upper tail coverts 

very short. (N.) 

Q-. Tail feathers with their bases well covered by the upper 

coverts. (H.) 

H. Feathers of the forehead at center and feathers at the side 

extending on the upper mandible, so as to leave a bare 

portion between, J as long as the bill; no speculum 

15. Somateria. 

H. No such extensions of both frontal and loral feathers. (I.) 
I. Tail graduated for a less distance than the length of the bill 



48 KEY OF BIRDS. 

from the nostril ; nail at tip of bill less than J its width 

at the middle 9. Aythya. 

I. Tail graduated for a greater distance than the length of bill 

from the nostril. (J.) 

J. Bill of the ordinary duck form, neither much enlarged at the 

base nor with peculiar appendages at the base or sides. (L.) 

J. Bill quite peculiar in form or appendages. (K.) 

K. Speculum violet ; upper mandible with a side lobe at base.. 

13. Histrionicus. 

K. Speculum white; upper mandibles with leathery expan- 
sions on the sides ; cheeks bristly 14. Camptolaimus. 

K. Top of bill peculiarly bulging near the frontal feathers and 

usually hollowed back of the indistinct nail.. 16. Oidemia. 

L. Nail of bill large but indistinct ; no speculum ; tail pointed ; 

bill black and orange; nostril quite near the frontal 

feathers 12. Clangula. 

L. Nail narrow and distinct; nostril near the center of the 
length of the bill. (M.) 
M. Front of nostril more than J way from the loral feathers ; 

iris yellow 10. Glaueionetta 

M. Front of nostril not ^ way from the loral feathers towards 

the tip of bill ; iris brown 11. Charitonetta. 

N. Nail of bill very small and the lower end abruptly bent 

backward; outer toe longer than the middle toe 

17. JErismatura. 

N. Nail of bill rather large and not abruptly bent backward ; 

outer toe shorter than middle toe 18. Nomonyx. 

O. Teeth-like serrations of upper mandible very long, sharp 

and strongly hooked 19. Merganser, 

O. Teeth-like serrations short, blunt and not conspicuously 
bent backward ; crest on head high and flattened side- 
ways 20. Lophodytes. 

P. Serrations on the cutting-edge of upper mandible scarcely 






Family XLIV. ANATID^. 49 

visible from the side at all ; if visible then only at the 

base; bill, feet and portions of head black 4. Branta. 

P. Serrations visible from the side for more than J the length 
of bill ; bill and feet pale, (Q.) 
Q. Depth of bill at base mnch greater than J the length of the 

tpp of bill 2. Chen. 

Q. Depth of bill at base about J the length of the top of bill.. 
,....3. Anser. 

1. (Mar. 

* Back end of nostril much nearer to the tip of bill than the 

front corner of the eye..O. columbianus. (Whistling Swan.) 

* Back end of nostril about midway between the tip of bill and 

the front corner of the eye.. 0. buccinator. (Trumpeter Swan.) 

2. Chen. 

* Plumage of adult grayish-brown.. C. ccerulescens. (Blue Goose.) 

* Plumage of adult white C hyperbdrea. (Snow Goose.) 

3. Anser dlbifrons. (White-fronted Goose.) 

4. Branta. 

* Head entirely black; side of neck with a patch of white 

streaks , B. bernicla. (Brant Goose.) 

* Head partly white. (A.) 

A. Head mostly black ; a whitish triangular patch on cheek... 

B. canadensis. (Canada Goose.) 

A. Head mostly white B. leucopsis. (Barnacle Goose.) 

5. Anas. 

* Bill shorter than the head; tail feathers not acute; belly 

white ; crown whitish. (D.) 

* Bill about as long as the head or longer. (A.) 

A. Speculum of wing white; wing about 11 in. long; wing 
coverts chestnut ; bill dark A. strepera. (Gadwall.) 

A. Speculum of wing violet with black border ; wing 10-11 in. 
long; bill not very dark. (B.) 

A. Speculum of wing green ; bill dark ; wing not over 8 in. 
long. (B.) 






50 KEY OF BIRDS. 



B. A white crescent-shaped spot on sides of body in front of 

wing ; wing coverts leaden-gray without blue 

A. carolinensis. (Green- winged Teal.) 

B. Wing coverts and some of the shoulder feathers sky-blue. 

(C.) 
O. Male with a white crescent in front of eye ; head and neck 

blackish lead-color A. discors. (Blue- winged Teal.) 

C. No pure white on head; general color of male purplish- 
chestnut A. cyanoptera. (Cinnamon Teal.) 

D. Head and neck cinnamon-red with but little if any green.... 

A. penelope. (European Widgeon.) 

D. Sides of head with a broad green patch 

.....A. americana. (Bald-pate. American Widgeon.) 

E. Male with head and neck glossy-green and a white ring 

below; female dusky 

, A.boschas. (Mallard Duck. Tame Duck.) 

E. Both sexes like the female of the preceding, but darker 

A. obscura. (Black Duck.) 

6. Spatula clypedta. (Spoon-bill Duck.) 
*7. Ddfila acuta. (Pin-tail Duck.) 

8. Aix sponsa. (Wood Duck.) 

9. Aythya. 

* Bill decidedly wider at tip than at base. (B.) 

* Bill with the width at the end about equal to the width at base. 

(A.) 

A. Width of bill nearly J the length at top 

A. americana. (Red Head.) 

A. Width of bill about J the length 

A. vallisneria. (Canvas-back Duck.) 

B. Male with an orange-brown ring around neck; speculum 

bluish-gray; female chiefly brown 

A.collaris. (Ring-necked Duck.) 

B. Speculum white in male ; face white in female. (C.) 
C. Wing over 8 \ in. long A. marila. (Big Scaup Duck.) 



Family XLIV. ANATIDJE. 51 

C. Wing under 8£ in. long.... A affinis. (Lesser Scaup Duck.) 

10. Glaucionetta. 

* Male with the head uniformly puffy and the gloss green ; spot 

before the eye roundish G. clangula. (Golden Eye.) 

* Male with the head somewhat crested and the gloss purplish ; 

spot before the eye angular 

G. isldndica. (Barrow's Golden Eye.) 

11. Charitonetia albeola. (Buffle-head.) 

12. Clangula hycmdlis. (Old Squaw. Old Wife.) 

13. Histrionicus histrionicus. (Harlequin Duck.) 

14. Camptolaimus (le-mus) labradorius. (Labrador Duck.) Prob- 

ably extinct. 

15. Somateria. 

* Feathers on the side of bill extending far beyond those on the 

top S. dresseri. (American Eider Duck. ) 

* Feathers on the top of the bill extending far beyond those on 

the side S. spectdbilis. (King Eider.) 

16. Oidcmia. 

* Wing 10J in. or more long ; nostril beyond the middle of the 

bill ; a white wing patch 

0. deglandi. (White-winged Scoter.) 

* Wing less than 10 J in long. (A.) 

A. Nostril beyond the middle of the bill; white or whitish 

patches on head ; no white wing patch 

0. perspicill&ta. (Surf Scoter.) 

A. Nostril not beyond the middle ; male entirely black ; female 

with whitish on throat and sides of head 

e 0. americdna. (Black Scoter.) 

17. Eris-matura mbida. (Euddy Duck.) 

18. Nomonyx dominicus. (St. Domingo Duck.) 

19. Merganser. 

* Nostril near the middle of bill ; frontal feathers extend beyond 

those on side of bill 

M. americanus. (Merganser. Goosander.) 



52 KEY OF BIED3. 

* Nostril near base of bill ; frontal feathers not beyond those on 

side of bill M. serrator. (Eed-breasted Merganser.) 

20. Lophodytes cucullatus. (Hooded Merganser.) 



Family XLV. SULIDiE. (Gannets.) 
Sula bassana. (Common Gannet. Solan Goose.) 

Family XLVI. ANHINGIDiE. (Darters.) 
Anhinga anhinga. (Darter. Snakebird.) 



Family XLVII. PHALACKOCORACIDiE. 

(Cormorants.) 
Phalacrdcorax. 

* Tail of fourteen feathers; pouch on neck notched behind 

P. cdrbo. (Common Cormorant. Shag.) 

* Tail of twelve feathers. (A.) 

A. Wing over 12 in. long 

P. dilophus. (Double-crested Cormorant.) 

A. Wing under 11 in. long 

P. mexicanus. (Mexican Cormorant.) 



Family XLVIII. PBLBCANIDJB. (Pelicans.) 
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. (White Pelican.) 

Family XLIX. PRBQATIDu3E3. (Man-o'-war Birds.) 
Fregata dquila. (Man-o'-war Bird.) 






Family L. PKOCELLAKIIDJE. 53 

Family L. PROCELLARIID.iE. (Petrels.) 

* Wings under 7 in. long; length under 10 in. (Stormy 

Petrels.) (C.) 

* Wings over 7 in. long ; length over 10 in. (A.) 

A. Under mandible not hooked at tip. (Fulmars.) 

, 1. Fulmarus. 

A. Under mandible hooked like the upper. (B.) 

B. Bill over f as long as the tarsus. (Petrels.) 3. JEstrelata. 

B. Bill usually f-f as long as the tarsus. (Shearwaters.) 

,., 2. Puffinus. 

C. Claws flat, obtuse ; tarsus booted, much longer than middle 

toe and claw; upper tail coverts white 6. Oceaniles. 

C. Claws hooked, acute; tarsus but little longer than middle 
toe and claw. (D.) 

D. Tail nearly square; color sooty-brown with white 

4. Procellaria. 

D. Tail forked; color bluish or grayish with white 

5. Oceanodroma. 

1. Fulmarus glaclcdis. (Fulmar.) 

2. Puffinus. 

* Sooty-colored throughout .P. stricklandi. (Sooty Shearwater.) 

* Dark above, white below. (A.) 

A. Wing 10 in. or less; under tail coverts mostly white 

P. auduboni (Audubon's Shearwater.) 

A. Wing 12 in. or more. (B.) 
B. Brownish-ash above; upper tail coverts dark, under ones 

light P. boredlis. (Cory's Shearwater.) 

B. Dark-brown above; upper tail coverts white, under ones 
dark P. major. (Greater Shearwater.) 

3. JEstrelata hasitata. (Black-capped Petrel.) 

4. Procellaria peldgica. (Storm Petrel.) 

5. Oceanodroma leucorhoa. (Leach's Petrel.) 

6. Oceanites ocednicus. (Wilson's Petrel.) 



54 KEY OF BIRDS. 

Family LI. STERCORARIIDJE. (Jaegers.) 

* Tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw ; wing 15 in. or more 

long 1. Megalestris. 

* Tarsus not shorter than middle toe and claw ; wing less than 

15 in. long , 2. Stercorarius. 

1. Megalestris skua. (Skua Gull.) 

2. Stercorarius. 

* Central tail feathers in adult projecting over 6 in. beyond the 

others and sharp pointed 

S. longicaudus. (Long-tailed Jaeger.) 

* Central tail feathers projecting less than 5 in. (A.) 

A. Central tail feathers broad at tip 

c ..S.pomarinus. (Pomarine Jaeger.) 

A. Central tail feathers acute at tip , 

S. parasiticus. (Parasitic Jaeger.) 

Family LII. LARID^B3. (Gulls.) 

* Bill more or less hooked ; tail generally even ; if forked, the 

outer feathers not narrowed or acute pointed ; colors gener- 
ally white, with a darker, usually grayish, mantle on back. 
(Gulls.) (C.) 

* Bill not hooked, at most, slightly curved, the mandibles even ; 

tail deeply forked. (Terns.) (A.) 
A. Tail with the outer feathers narrow and pointed ; front toes 

well webbed ; colors of plumage light. (B.) 
A. Tail with the outer feathers broad and rounded ; front toes 

but little more than half webbed; colors dark 

7. Hydrochelidon. 

B. Bill dark and stout, its depth at base over J its length at 

top ,. e 5. Gelochelidon. 

B. Bill less stout, usually quite slender 6. Sterna, 



Family LII. LABID^. 55 

C. Hind toe very minute or wanting ; tail slightly notched or 

even 2. Rissa. 

C. Hind toe small. (D.) 

D. Tail forked; bill black with a yellow tip 4. Xema. 

D. Tail even. (B.) 
B. Adults pure white ; tarsus rough behind and about equal to 
the middle toe, without claw, in length 1 . Gavia 

B. Adults white with a darker mantle ; tarsus not very rough 

and less than middle toe in length 3. Larus. 

1. Gavia alba. (Ivory Gull.) 

2. Rissa triddctyla. (Kittiwake Gull.) 

3. Larus, 

* Wing over 14 in. long; head entirely white in adult in 

simmer. (C.) 

* Wing under 14 in. long ; head black or dusky in adult in 

summer. (A.) 
A. Wing over 12 in. long ; tarsus longer than middle toe and 
claw L. atricilla. (Black-headed Gull.) 

A. Wing under 12 in. long. (B.) 

B. Bill red, with usually a dark band near tip 

L. frdnklini. (Franklin's Eosy Gull.) 

B. Bill black and slender; wing about 10 in. long 

L. Philadelphia. (Bonaparte's Gull.) 

C. Primaries pearl-gray, fading to white at tips, no black. (Or.) 
C. Primaries with white tips and darker, dusky or black spaces 

near tips (in young sometimes all dark). (D.) 
D. Dark spaces of primaries gray 

L. Jcumlieni. (Gray-winged Gull.) 

D. Dark spaces of primaries black. (B.) 

B. Shafts of primaries white through the dark spaces 

L. mdrinus. (Great Black-backed Gull.) 

B. Shafts dark like the spaces. (F.) 
P. Wing over 16 in. long L. argentdtus. (Herring Gull.) 



56 KEY OF BIRDS. 

P. "Wing under 16 in. long..Z. delawarensis. (Ring-billed Gull.) 

G\ Wing over 16 J in. long L. glwiicus. (Ice Gull.) 

Or. Wing under 16 J in. long ...L. leucopterus. (Iceland Gull.) 

4. X&ma sabinii. (Sabine's Gull. Fork-tailed Gull.) 

5. Gelochehdon nilotica. (Gull-billed Tern.) 

6. Sterna. 

* Wing over 15 in. long; tail forked less than J its length 

S. techegrdva. (Caspian Tern.) 

* Wing about 15 in. long; tail forked for about J its length.... 

S. maxima. (Royal Tern.) 

* Wing less than 13 in. long. (A.) 
A. Head decidedly crested. S. sandvicensis. (Sandwich Tern.) 
A. Head but little if at all crested ; wing 12 in. or less long. 

(B.) 

B. Wing under 7 in. long & antillarum. (Least Tern.) 

B. Wing about 12 in. long ; back sooty-black ; inner webs of 

quills dusky S. fuligindsa. (Sooty Tern. ) 

B. Wing 8-12 in. long; back in adult pearl -gray. (C.) 
C. Outer tail feathers with inner web dusky, outer web white.. 

S.forsteri. (Forster's Tern.) 

C. Outer tail feathers with both webs white 

S. dougalli. (Roseate Tern.) 

C. Outer tail feathers with inner web white, outer web dusky. 

(D.) 
D. Bill red with a blackened tip ; tail but little more than J the 

length of wing S. Hrundo. (Common Tern. ) 

D. Bill red throughout; tail over f the length of the wing 

S. paradiscea. (Arctic Tern.) 

7. Hydrochelidon nigra. (Black Tern.) 

Family LIII. RHYNCHOPIDiB. (Skimmers.) 
Rhynchops nigra. (Black Skimmer.) 



* 



Family LV. ALCIOE. 57 

Family LIV. URINATORIDiE. (Loons.) 
Urinator. 

* Wing over 12J in. long ; head of adult deep greenish-black. 

U. imber. (Common Loon.) 

Wing about 12 J in. long; top of head bluish-ash; front of 
neck blue-black U. drcticus, (Black-throated Loon.) 

* Wing under 11 J in. ; throat and sides of head bluish-gray; a 

triangular, chestnut throat patch 

U. Kimme. (Ked-throated Loon.) 



Family LV. ATJ3IDM. (Auks.) 



* 



Inner claw much longer and more curved than the others; 

tarsus scutellate in front 1 . Fratercula. 

* Inner claw similar in size and shape to the others. (A.) 
A. Bill very short (J in.) and broad ; the angle of chin nearer 
to tip of bill than to the nostril ; upper side of bill regu- 
larly curved 5. Alle. 

A. Bill not so short (1 in. or more) ; the angle of chin nearer 
the nostril than to the tip of bill. (B.) 
B. Nostril overhung by a horny scale, but visible from the side ; 
top of bill straight to near the tip, when it is abruptly 

curved downward 2. Cepphus. 

B. Nostril more or less completely hidden by dense velvety 
feathers. (C.) 
C. Tail rounded, the feathers not pointed ; bill only about J 

as high at base as long 3. Uria. 

C. Tail graduated, its feathers pointed ; bill much deeper at 
base and much flattened sideways; wing 8 in. or more 

long; bill shorter than the head 4. Alca. 

1. Fratercula drctica. (Common Puffin.) 



5S KEY OF BIRDS. 

2. Cepphus. 

* Greater wing coverts white throughout 

C. mdndtii. (Mandt's Guillemot.) 

* Greater wing coverts with their bases J black 

C. grylle. (Black Guillemot.) 

3. Uria. 

* Length of lower edge of bill over 1 in 

, U. troile. (Common Guillemot.) 

* Length of lower edge under 1 in 

U. lomvia. (Thick-billed Murre.) 

4. Alca torda. (Razor-billed Auk.) 

5. A lie dlle. (Dovekie. Sea-dove.) 

Family LVL PODICIPIDiE. (Grebes.) 

* Bill stout and somewhat hooked, its length not quite twice its 

greatest depth at base 3. Podilymbus. 

* Bill straight and more slender, its length more than twice its 

depth at base. (A.) 
A. Length of bird over 20 in. ; neck nearly as long as the 

body 1. JEchnorphorus. 

A. Length under 20 in.; neck much shorter than the body.... 
2. Colymbus. 

1. JEchmorphorus occidentalis. (Western Grebe.) 

2. Colymbus. 

* Bill about as long as the head; wing over 7 in. long 

C. holboelii. (Red-necked Grebe.) 

* Bill much shorter than the head ; wing under 6 in. long. (A.) 
A. Bill flattened sideways and thus higher than wide at base... 

C. auritus, (Horned Grebe.) 

A. Bill wider than high at base.. C. nigricollis. (Eared Grebe.) 

3. Podilymbus podiceps. (Pied-billed Grebe. Dab-chick.) 



GLOSSARY. 



Acute. Sharp-pointed, as the tip 
of a feather. 

Barred. With cross-hands of 
color. 

Bars. The bands of col or extend- 
ing across quills or feathers. 

Booted tarsus. One having its 
front covered by a continuous 
scale nearly to the toes. 

Bristles at rictus. Bristle-like 
hairs found at the corners of 
the mouth and extending down- 
ward, 

Cere. A special skin-like cover- 
ing over the base of the upper 
mandible, extending beyond the 
nostrils. 

Commissure. The line which 
marks the closing of the man- 
dibles; the line of the closed 
mouth. 

Compressed. Flattened sideways. 

Convex. With outward-bulging 
outline. 

Coverts. Small feathers which 
hide the bases of the quills, as the 
upper and lower coverts of the 
wings and tail; also sometimes 
used for the covering feathers of 
the ears. 

Crest. The lengthened feathers 
on the tops of the heads of some 
birds. 

Crissum. The under tail coverts. 

Crown. The top of the Dead, not 
including the portion next the bill, 
called the forehead, 

Culmen. The ridge or central line 
of the upper mandible. 

Becurved. Curved downward. 
Depressed. Flattened above and 
below. 



Ear tufts. Peculiar tufts of fea- 
thers found on some owls in the 
region of the ears. 

Elevated toe. A hind toe which 
has its base attached to the tarsus 
above the level of the front toes, 

Exserted. Exposed or extending 
beyond. 

Flexible. Bending readily; not 
stiff. 

Forehead. The part, usually fea- 
thered, just above the bill next the 
crown. 

Forked tail. One deeply notched. 

Gape. The opening of the mouth. 

Oonys. The central ridge of the 
lower mandible from the point to 
where two branches form the 
rhami. 

Graduated tail. One in which the 
middle pair of feathers are longest 
and each successive pair outward 
are gradually shorter. 

Lamellae. Plate-like processes 
found inside a duck's bill. 

Lateral. At the side, as the outer 
tail feathers or the side toes. 

Lobate toes. Furnished with 
membraneous flaps along the sides. 

Lobes. Rounded projections. 

Lore. The space between the eye 
and the bill. 

Mandibles. The upper and lower 
jaws of birds. 

Nail of bill. The peculiar added 
horny part at the tip of the upper 
mandible of ducks. 

Nasal. Pertaining to the nostril. 
Nasal groove. The groove in which 
the nostril is found. 



GLOSSAEY. 



61 



Nostrils. The openings, usually 
near the base, of the upper man- 
dible. 

Notched bill. One having a nick, 
usually near the tip of the upper 
mandible. 

Obtuse. Somewhat angular but 
not sharply so ; forming less than 
a right angle. 

Ochraceous. An orange-brown or 
dull, deep buff. 

Olivaceous. A greenish-brown 
color like that of olives. 

Pectinated. Having comb-like 
notched projections, as the middle 
claw of herons. 

Plumage. The feathering in 
general. 

Plumes. Peculiar ornamental fea- 
thers found on the heads and backs 
of some birds. 

Primaries, The outer nine or ten 
quills of the wings ; those fastened 
to the outer joint or " hand wing." 
First primary. The first and under 
one of the primaries. In a mounted 
bird the feathers of the body should 
be carefully pressed back while 
the bird is inverted in order to 
determine its length. 



s. As generally used in bird 
books, the stiff pen feathers of the 
wings, sometimes restricted to the 
primaries and sometimes made to 
include those of the tail also. 

Reticulate tarsus. One covered 
with small irregularly-shaped 
scales, and thus marked with a 
network of lines. 

Eictal bristles. See bristles at 
rictus. 

Rictus. The back portion of the 
gape of the mouth, often and more 



properly made to include the 
whole gape. 

Rump. The portion of the back 
just in front of the upper tail 
coverts. 

Scutellate tarsus. One covered 
with square scales, often in front 
only, sometimes in front and 
behind. 

Secondaries. The long pen fea- 
thers of the second joint or forearm 
of the wing ; those next the pri- 
maries. 

Serrations. Notches or saw-like 
edges, as those on a duck's bill. 

Speculum. A brightly-colored 
spot on the wings of ducks, etc.. 
usually consisting of the secon- 
daries. 

Tarsus. The joint of a leg just 
above the toes ; the joint extend- 
ing from the toes to the true heel. 

Tertials or tertiaries. Properly the 
inner quills of a wing, those grow- 
ing to the elbow or the humerus ; 
often applied to any inner secon- 
daries which are peculiar in 
length or color. 

Tibia. The joint of the leg above 
the tarsus; the "drum stick" 
joint. 

Truncate. With a square tip. 

Versatile toe. One that can be 
used either in front or behind, as 
the outer toe of owls. 

Web. The thin membrane be- 
tween the toes of ducks and many 
snipe ; also applied to the lateral 
halves of feathers. 

Wing bars. The stripes formed by 
the peculiarly-colored tips of the 
wing coverts. 



INDEX. 



Acanthis 27 

Accipiter 37 

Actitis 43 

iEchmorphorus.. 58 

JEgialitis 40 

iEstrelata 53 

Agelaius 

Aix 50 

Ajaja 46 

Alauda 31 

Alaudidse 31 

Alca 

Alcedinidse 34 

Aleidae 57 

Alle 58 

Ammodramus ... 27 

Ampelis 22 

Anas 49 

Anatidse 46 

Anhinga 52 

Anhingidse 52 

Anser 49 

Anthus 16 

Antrostomus 32 

Aphrizidse 40 

Aquila 37 

Archibuteo 37 

Ardea 45 

Ardeidse 45 

Asio 35 

Asturina 37 

Auk 57, 58 

Avocet 43 

Aythya 50 

Bartramia 43 

Bittern 45 

Blackbird 29, 30 

Bluebird 13 

Bobolink... 30 

Bob White 39 

Bonasa 39 

Botaurus 45 

Branta 49 

Bubo 35 

Bubonidge.., 



Buffle-head 51 

Bunting 27, 29 

Buteo 37 

Buzzard 37, 

Calamospiza 29 

Calcarius 27 

Calidris 42 

Camptolaimus... 51 
Caprimulgidse.... 32 

Cardinalis 29 

Carduelis 27 

Carpodacus 26 

Catbird 16 

Catharista 38 

Cathartes 

Cathartidse.... 

Ceophloeus 

Cepphus 58 

Certhia 15 

Certhiidae 15 

Ceryle 34 

Chsetura 32 

Champephilus... 33 

Charadriidse 40 

Charadrius 40 

Charitonetta 51 

Chat 20 

Chelidon 22 

Chen 49 

Chewink 29 

Chickadee 14, 15 

Chippy-bird 28 

Chondestes 28 

Chordeiles 32 

ChuckwillWid'w32 

Ciconiidse 46 

Circus 37 

Cistothorus 16 

Clangula 51 

Clivicola 23 

Coccothraustes .. 26 

Coccygus , 34 

Colaptes 34 

^Colinus 39 

34 Columbidee 38 



Columbigallina., 

Colymbus 

Compsothlypis... 

Contopus 

Conurus 

Coot 

Cormorant 

Corvidse 

Corvus 

Cowbird 

Crane 

Creeper 

Crow 

Crossbill 

Crymophilus 

Cuckoo 

Cuculidse 

Curlew 

Cyanocitta 

Dab- chick 

Dafila 

Darter 

Dendragapus 

Dendroica 

Dolichonyx 

Dove 38, 

Dovekie 

Dowitcher 

Dryobates 

Duck 46, 50, 

Dunlin 

Eagle 37, 

Ectopistes 

Egret 45, 

Eider 

Elanoides 

Elanus 

Empidonax 

Ereunetes 

Erismatura 

Falcon 36, 

Falconidse 

Finch...23, 26, 28, 

Flicker 

Flycatcher 31, 



Fratercula 57 

Fringillidse 23 

Fulica 45 

Fulmar 53 

Fulmarus 53 

Gadwall 49 

Galeoscoptes 16 

Gallinago.. 42 

Gallinula 45 

Galhnule 45 

Gannet 52 

Gavia 55 

Gelochelidon 56 

Glaucionetta...... 51 

Gnatcatcher 14 

Goatsucker 32 

Godwit 43 

Golden Eye 51 

Goldfinch 27 

Goosander 51 

Goose 49, 52 

Goshawk 37 

Grackle 30 

Grebe 58 

Grosbeak 26, 29 

Grouse 39 

Gruidse 44 

Grus 44 

Guara , 46 

Guillemot ,. 58 

Guiraca 29 

Gull 54, 55, 56 

Gyrfalcon 38 

Habia 29 

Hsematopodidse . 39 

Hsematopus 39 

Harporhynchus, 16 

Harrier 37 

Hawk .37,38 

Helinaia 18 

Helmitherus 18 

Helminthophila, 18 

Heron 45, 46 

Hesperocichla ... 13 
Himantopus 43 



INDEX. 



63 



Histrionicus 51 

Humming-bird .. 33 
Hydrochelidon.. 56 

Ibididae 46 

Ibis 

Icteridae 29 

Icterus 30 

Icthiia 37 

Indigo-bird 29 

Ionornis 45 

Jaeger 54 

Jay 30 

Junco 28 

Kingbird 31, 32 

Kingfisher 34 

Kinglet 14 

Kite 37 

Lagopus 39 

Laniidae 22 

Lauius 22 

Laridae 54 

Lark 16, 30, 31 

Larus.. 55 

Leucosticte 27 

Limosa 42 

Linnet 27 

Long-shanks 43 

Longspur 27 

Loon 57 

Loxia 27 

Macrorhampus... 42 

Magpie 

Man-o'-war Bird 52 

Meadow-lark 30 

Megascops 35 

Melanerpes 34 

Meleagns 39 

Melospiza 28 

Merganser 51, 52 

Merula 13 

Micropalama 42 

Micropodidae 32 

Milvulus 31 

Mimus 16 

Mniotilta... 18 

Mniotiltidae 16 

Mocking-bird, 15, 16 

Molothrus , 30 

Motacillidae 16 

Murre 58 

Myadestes 14 

Myiarchus 32 

Night Hawk 32 

Nomonyx... 51 

Nonpariel 29 

Numenius, 43 

Nuthatch 15 



Nyctala 35 

Nyctea 35 

Nycticorax..., 46 

Oceanites 53 

Oceanodroma.... 53 

Oidemia 51 

Old Squaw 51 

Old Wife.. 51 

Olor 

Oriole 30 

Otocoris , 31 

Oven-bird 20 

Owl 34,35 

Oyster-catcher ... 39 

Paridae 14 

Paroquet 34 

Parrot 34 

Parus 14 

Passer 27 

Passerella 29 

Passerina.. 29 

Pavoncella 43 

Pediocaetes.... 

Pelecanidae 52 

Pelecanus 52 

Pelican 52 

Perisoreus 30 

Petrel 53 

Petrochelidon.... 22 

Peucaea 28 

Pewee 32 

Phalacrocoracidae 

52 

Phalacrocorax... 52 

Phalarope 43, 44 

Phalaropodidae .. 43 

Phalaropus 44 

Phasianidae... 

Pheasant 

Philohela... 42 

Phoebe 32 

Pica 

Picidae 33 

Picoides 34 

Pigeon 

Pinicola 26 

Pipilo 29 

Pipit 16 

Piranga 23 

Plataleidae 46 

Plectrophenax... 27 

Plegadis 46 

Plover 40 

Podilymbus 58 

Polioptila 14 

Poocaetes 27 

Porzana 45 



Prairie Hen 39 

Procellaria 53 

Procellariidae .... 53 

Progne 22 

Protonotaria 18 

Psittacidae 34 

Puffin .57 

Puffinus 53 

Quiscalus 30 

Rail 44,45 

Rallidae 44 

Rallus 44 

Recurvirostra.... 43 
Recurvirostridae, 

Red Head 50 

Redpoll 27 

Redstart 21 

Reedbird 

Regulus 14 

Rhynchophanes, 27 
Rhynchopidae.... 56 

Rhynchops 56 

Rissa 55 

Robin 13 

Ruff 43 

Sanderling 42 

Sandpiper 42, 43 

Sayornis 32 

Scolecophagus ... 

Scolopacidae 40 

Scolopax 42 

Scoter.. 51 

Scotiaptex 35 

Shag 52 

Shearwater 53 

Shrike 22 

Sialia 13 

Siskin 27 

Skimmer 56 

Skylark 16,31 

Snakebird 52 

Snipe 40,42 

Snowbird 28 

Somateria 51 

Solitaire 14 

Sparrow.... 27, 28, 29 

Spatula 50 

Speotyto 35 

Sphyrapicus....... 34 

Spinus , 27 

Spiza 29 

Spizella 28 

Spoonbill 46 

Squawk 46 

Stelgidopteryx... 23 

Stercorariidae 54 

Stercorals 54 



Sterna ., 56 

Stilt 43 

Stork 46 

Strigidae 35 

Sturnella 30 

Sula 52 

Sulidae 52 

Surf Birds 40 

Surnia 35 

Swallow 22, 23 

Swan 46, 49 

Swift „ 32 

Sylviidae 14 

Symphemia 43 

Syrnium 35 

Tachycineta 22 

Tanager 23 

Tanagridae 23 

Tantalus 46 

Teal 50 

Tern 56 

Tetraonidae 39 

Thrush 13, 14, 20 

Thyrothorus 16 

Titmouse 14 

Tringa 42 

Trochilidae 33 

Trochilus 33 

Troglodytes 16 

Troglodytidae.... 15 

Tryngites 43 

Turdidae 13 

Turdus 13 

Turkey 39 

Turnstone 40 

Tympanuchus.... 39 

Tyrannidae 31 

Tyrannus 31 

Uria 58 

Urinator 57 

Urinatoridae 57 

Vireo 21 

Vireonidae 21 

Warblers... 16, 18-21 

Waxwing 22 

Whip-poor-will .. 32 

Widgeon 50 

Willet 43 

Woodcock 42 

Woodpecker.. .33, 34 

Wren 15, 16 

Xema 56 

Xanthocephalus, 30 

Yellow-legs 43 

Yellow-throat.... 20 

Zenaidura 38 

Zonotrichia 28 









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